Two familiar faces were among the top finishers at Saturday’s second annual Race Around the Reservoir.
Scott Spitz, who finished second last year, captured first place this time around at the Geist Half Marathon with a 1:12:19 finish, edging out last year’s winner, Chris Swisher, who came in third with a time of 1:16:06. Brad Robinson took second place, finishing the 13.1-mile race with a time of 1:15:04.
Spitz, who lives in downtown Indy, also competed in the 500 Festival Mini Marathon earlier this month, where he recorded a 17th place finish. Spitz says he likes the Geist course because it is scenic, with more hills and less congestion.
“I enjoy the challenge of running hills,” said Spitz, who was cheered on by his girlfriend, Michelle Craig, and her son, Noah. Spitz added, “ The post-race environment is really cool.”
Although Swisher would like to have kept his title, he also competed very well considering this was his only half marathon of the year.
“I didn’t train as hard this year,” admitted Swisher, who lives in Fishers.
For the women’s competition, Jane Daniels of Bloomington took the top prize with a time of 1:23:42. She finished well ahead of second-place winner Erica Watson (1:26:14) and third-place runner Sarah Baysden (1:27:09).
It was beginner’s luck for Daniels, who signed up for her first half marathon at the insistence of running mate Tim Street.
“She was totally non-competitive about it,” Street said with a laugh, adding that his running partner left him in the dust a couple miles into the race. Both Daniels and Street are grad students at Indiana University.
All six of the top finishers were presented with genuine gold, silver or bronze medals from Geist Jewelers.
Congratulations to everyone who ran in the the St. Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K Race Around the Reservoir. You are all winners!
