Runners lace up for University Park race

More than 300 local runners laced up for the first Fit2Run 4 Miler Sept. 19 at University Park Country Club.

This cross country event followed a unique 4-mile course along holes 19-27 at the East County community. Money raised will benefit the Humane Society of Manatee County. Among the many participants were University Park Country Club partner John Neal, who finished in the top tier of runners, and University Park Country Club members John Fricke, Pam and Randy Silagyi, Art Mellor, Louise Lester and Richard Cooper.

“During my 30 years of running in over 100 races, the race at University Park was right up there with the best run races I have been in,” Fricke said.

The fastest male runner, with a time of 21 minutes, 47 seconds, was Shane Stroup from Wesley Chapel, and the first female runner was the East County's own Heather Gollnick, with a time of 26 minutes, 42 seconds. In addition to the 4-mile race, a series of children’s races were held on the club’s driving range.

Complete race results can be found at www.coolrunnings.com.