There are over 800 athletes entered in the 13th Annual Fall Runaway Invitational, making it the biggest race in series history. The middle school and club race has increased in size as 16 schools are slated to run on Saturday . We look for fast times on Saturday at Lamar Murphy Park as its in excellent condition. I would urge all area teams to come run at Lamar Murphy Park as Coach Sitton has done an excellent job laying out and maintaining the course as its matured.
Chase and Chandler at Lamar Murphy Park (pic by Bruce Taylor)
In the Boys HS race, twin bros Chase and Chandler Kennedy, should be in the lead pack. Chase hopes to best his Lamar Murphy Park course pr of 16:07. Other top Individuals to watch are Austin Walden of Loganville, Chaisse Etheridge of East Jackson, Max Rabin of Johns Creek and Sid Wightman of Oglethorpe. 6A Johns Creek is much deeper than everyone and should be the team favorite as East Jackson needs a 5th guy. ACS' young guys will have a chance to keep improving.
Sue Anne Moralis (R) last Fall at Lamar Murphy Park (pic by Bruce Taylor)
Sue Anne Moralis, defending AAA State Champion in the 800/1600, will attempt to run under the 19:30 she ran at NEGA last week. She may have some company chasing her including Johns Creek's Allison Rothrock and Abby Kettle of GAC. Johns Creek again is just too deep for this field and is a heavy favorite to take home some top awards. Holy Spirit, ACS, Loganville, Morgan County and East Jackson will be chasing a slew of Gladiators.
Michael Patterson at the MS State Track Meet last Spring (pic by Daniel McCauley)
Great Strides Club has a stable of runners including Michael Patterson who was the Pickens Preview champ last week. His teamates will be packed up including Brennan Bower, Ryan Vaughn and Colin Chapman. ACS, Habersham County, Loganville and White County are traditionally very sound. Jaime Jacoby from GWA is a contender to win a MS Boys State title later this Fall down in Bleckley County. Griffin Stephens of Commerce Striders, Iyan Windham of White County MS, Thomas Hotard of Habersham MS and Elijah Cummings of ACS all ran well at NEGA on a tougher 3200 layout.
Caroline Patterson of Great Strides winning the Mountain Invite MS race in 2014.
The Middle School races this early are difficult to gauge with so many newcomers. Great Strides Club should dominate the team race with fast runners the likes of Caroline Patterson (Pickens Preview MS Champ), Abby Rindt and Emma Kline.For many of the MS athletes this could be their first race of the season...On the MS Girls side, ACS' Gabrielle Martin had a nice race at NEGA along with team mate Jazemine Davila. White County's Ellie Gearing (could it be Jenna's lil' sis?) also had a strong race at NEGA.