Pirates on the Run 10K

3rd Annual Pirates on the Run 10K
February 18, 2006
Photos courtesy of Ed Hardee - Editor of the Amelia Island Runners Newsletter.

Frieda Wyner, Queen of the Masters. We enjoy doing the running events put on by the Amelia Island Runners of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Their races are low-key but well organized and carried out.
Starting in the downtown area, the course goes out to the beach and back, with some sections through residential areas. There are some hills to make it more challenging.

It also gives us an opportunity to spend a couple of days at the Ft. Clinch State Park in our "luxury" travel trailer.
Carbo Loading
in the campground.

Frieda won the Female Master's Division in 45:01. (She was the 3rd female overall.)
It was quite a coincidence that our friend from St. Augustine, Bill Phillips, was Male Master's Champion and finished 3rd male overall with a time of 36:41.
After completing her run, she headed back on the course to see if Norm was still alive. This is because Norm doesn't train any more and looks like he is about to expire at the end of a race.
Norm's time was 1:07:18 which was good for 3rd in the 60-99 Mens Age-Group. Guess how many were in that group? Norm said he ran most of the way only walking up the steepest hills.

Norm is sometimes King of the Geezers.
On this day he turned out to be the Joker.

Frieda accepts her Masters Trophy
from Race Director John McBrearty. Before the awards ceremony, numerous drawing prizes were given out. Norm was hoping there would be one for the oldest runner (which he was). Instead, he got a nice Florida State University cap for leading the runners in singing "Happy Birthday" to one of the lady participants.
Later, Norm's race number was called for a Gift Certificate at Beall's Stores which Frieda redeemed later that afternoon.
With long-sleeve t-shirts, the drawing prizes, the race awards, and plentiful post-race refreshments, it was well worth the investment for the run. Besides, the whole event was most enjoyable.

We have both been active on the running scene in Northeast Florida for 30 years.
Now, in addition to being the only couple to have completed all 28 River Runs, we have also completed all three of the Pirates Run 10Ks.
Back in the 1980s, the local running club put on some great races like the 5 Mile American Beach Run and the Across the Island 10K. We are happy to see the new Amelia Island Runners putting on quality events again.

The events of the morning
left us both with big smiles.

To view the race results, click here.