By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

The Peachtree City Classic was another resounding success, growing in popularity with runners and fans each year. It also seems that while people come from all over the state and region to compete, the number of locals testing their mettle grows each year as well.

The race is broken down into several age groups, encouraging competition and not making anybody feel terrible in a race. Because running is such an individual sport, the Peachtree City Running Club hopes to foster inner drive and competition.

The 15K race was back in Peachtree City this year, serving as the national championship race for the Road Runners Club of America. The overall male winner was Chris Rizzo of Columbus who finished the race in a time of 51:25. The closest local to that time was Kenneth Thorsen of Fayetteville with a time of 53:54. On the woman's side, the highest local finisher in the 15K was Kelly Murzynsky of Peachtree City. She finished in a time of 1:05:17.

Other high finishers in the 15K on the women's side were Emily Wynn of Fayetteville in the 15-19 age group with a time of 1:29:28. Angie Ratajaski of Senoia in the 20-24 age group with a time of 1:10:42. Jennie Tyre of Fayetteville ran in the 25-29 age group and finished in 1:15:37. Paula May of Peachtree City finished fifth in the Master's division (40-99) with a time of 1:09:45, which was good enough for a first place finish in the 45-49 age group.

In the Men's 15K, Josh Ludwig of Peachtree City finished first in the 1-14 age group, with times of 1:13:24. Justin Markham of Fayetteville took third in the 15-19 age group with a time of 1:13:47, while Charles Elfer of Fayetteville finished in 1:06:43 in the 20-24 group. In the 35-39 group, John Quinlivan of Peachtree City finished third with a time of 57:21. William Landis of Peachtree City finished fourth in the 50-54 group while Bill McBride of Peachtree City finished fourth in the 55-59 group. Landis finished with a time of 1:03:02 while McBride finished in 1:04:41.

In the 5K races, which are much shorter and seem to have many more entrants, Donna Lee of Fayetteville took second place overall in the women's 5K with a time of 20:03. In the Masters division, Tori Stivers and Nancy D'Aurio, both of Peachtree City, finished sixth and seventh with times of 24:12 and 24:16.

In the 1-10 age group, Kirsten Pretzer of Peachtree City placed third with a time of 22:55. Melissa Anderson, also of Peachtree City placed fourth overall in the 11-14 group, running a time of 22:42 In the 15-19 group, Sunya Sweeney placed first with a time of 23:35. She was followed closely by Erin Myers, also of Peachtree City, running a time of 23:52. Sarah Kienast of Fayetteville placed fourth in the 20-24 age group with a time of 27:03 ,while Carla Sutherland finished fifth in the 25-29 group with a time of 25:46.

In the men's 5K, Steve Janney of Sharpsburg placed second in the Masters group with a time of 17:29. Mark Yutko of Peachtree City placed sixth with a time of 18:51, and Frank Molloy of Fayetteville placed eighth with a time of 19:04.

These are not the complete results of the race, but rather the highest local finishers in the age groups. For more detailed results, visit the running club's website: www.ptcrc.com.

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