Published: July 04, 2009 10:50 pm      

PICTURE PERFECT

Field size breaks record; 1st and 2nd

Ashland — A photo finish was just icing on the cake.

The 18th annual Summer Motion 10K saw a record-breaking number of participants as well as two new champions on Saturday, including an ending to remember.

Former Marshall track teammates John Davis and Straten Schemel came around the corner of 17th Street and Central Avenue as they eyed the finish line.

Both transformed their run into a dead sprint to the finish, as Davis (34:47) edged Schemel (34:48) by less than a second.

“We thought it would be fun to give (the crowd) a photo finish,” Davis said. “We just had a little fun there at the end.”

Davis, a 2007 Marshall graduate and current ER nurse at King’s Daughters, pulled out in front of Schemel, a 2009 Marshall graduate, after about three miles — nearly halfway through the 6.2-mile course.

However, Davis suffered some abdominal cramps, which allowed his friend to catch back up to him for the classic finish.

“(Davis) talked me into coming out to this race,” said Schemel, a first-time runner at Summer Motion. “It was fun.

“I’ve been to Summer Motion before,” he said. “I enjoy the festivities they have. We’ll probably come back over and watch the fireworks later.”

Race director Annie Wilson was exceptionally pleased with the record turnout, especially since the run fell on the Fourth of July.

“I didn’t know what to expect at first,” Wilson said. “But when we had 100 pre-register, I knew it was going to be big.”

A total of 231 runners took part in the annual event, which actually began as the Ashland Regatta 10,000 in 1985.

“We ran out of numbers and ran out of water, but we made adjustments,” Wilson said. “That’s a good problem to have.

“Falling on the Fourth helped because you had people in town for family reunions,” she said. “It’s really awesome that Summer Motion is such a family-oriented thing. The race is incorporating family also.”

Kat Alcorn of Hebron placed first in the female division. The University of Louisville senior-to-be is in town for the summer with her parents, who live in Flatwoods.

Alcorn will return to Louisville in two weeks, and then will travel with cross country teammates to Flagstaff, Ariz., for training for the fall season.

“Since I’m running cross country at U of L in the fall, I wanted to get some training in and run some fun runs in the summer,” said Alcorn, who also won the Run by the River 5K in June.

Alcorn placed 14th overall with a time of 40:03.

Kylie Lemons of Huntington and Mandy Musick, a former star at Fairview, placed second and third in the female division.

Russell senior Tanner Alexander placed third in the men’s division.

Two unique awards were given as well this year. Amy Kendall ran while pushing her two children in a stroller and Amy Adams ran with her dog on a leash. Both the dog and the children received medals for their efforts.

As for the overall champion, Davis will continue to strive for an ultimate goal of qualifying for an Olympic event, but he was just thankful to be able to race again.

He had his second knee surgery just nine months ago.

“The injuries have been frustrating, but I just try and keep my faith an know that all things are possible with God.”

Jason and Marian Pyles, the male and female champions of 2008, were not in the field of runners this year.