Sunday morning’s Congress Avenue Mile produced a slew of fast times in all age group s, from high school to masters. The fastest times of the day belonged to the elite division’s Sammy Unberhagen and Andrea Jarzombek.

The elite men’s field was made up of 11 runners, including a trio of former Texas Longhorns: Eric Polonski, Clint Hosey and Unberhagen. The group bolted from the steps of the Capitol and ran in a loose pack through the first half of the race, which was passed in 1 minute, 56 seconds.

The first half is always the fastest in the Congress Avenue Mile — all of the runners knew they would lose a few seconds in the second half.

Heading into the third quarter, Unberhagen took control and established himself as the leader. Behind him, Polonski had worked his way up from the back and was right on Unberhagen’s shoulder. Hosey and a third runner, Philo Saunders, completed the breakaway pack.

Unberhagen began to open a gap at the three-quarters mark, passing it in 2:57, while Polonski tried to maintain contact.

“I got to the three-quarters mark and just tried to hold on,” Unberhagen said. “I wanted to be enough under three minutes at that point to break four at the finish.”

Heading across the Congress Avenue bridge, Polonski fought hard to close the gap, but Unberhagen was too tough. A final 61-second quarter gave Unberhagen what he needed, as he snapped the tape in 3:58 and won a $500 bonus for breaking four minutes.

“I certainly wanted to break four today,” Unberhagen said. “It lets me know what kind of shape I’m in.”

It appeared as though Polonski clocked 3:59, but the official race time listed 4:00. Saunders and Hosey were also timed in 4:00 for third and fourth places.

“I kind of conceded defeat at the three-quarter mark,” Polonski said. “But with 110 (yards) left to go, I thought I still could catch him. I had a lot of fun, though. This was great.”

In the women’s elite race, favorite Natalie Nalepa was out with an injury, narrowing the field down to only four contestants: Jarzombek, Jessica Koch, Sheena Carswell and Jennifer Moore.

Koch, a Stanford runner and former Georgetown High School star, led the way with Jarzombek through the first half. The pair passed that mark in 2:17 and settled into a rhythm.

The first half played into Koch’s hands as her long legs benefited from the downhill stretch. But it was Jarzombek, a powerful half-miler from San Antonio, who really shined in the second half of the race.

After taking the lead, she pressed the pace and pulled Koch with her across the bridge. Koch never lost contact, so it looked like it might be a kicker’s finish. However, Jarzombek stayed stronger in the final 60 seconds, edging Koch by three seconds, 4:42 to 4:45. Carswell and Moore, two of Austin’s top road racers, finished in 4:52 and 5:00, respectively.

In the age-group heats, several high school boys posted outstanding times, with Ranulfo Arias clocking a 4:08, Juan Cardenas a 4:09 and Jason Gould at 4:13. Former Longhorn Jeff Lindsey won the men’s masters’ race in 4:26, followed by Rick Christiansen’s 4:33. Margo Braud took the women’s masters with a 5:14. Ultra-marathoner Joyce Prusaitis showed her range with a 5:30 for second place.

Proceeds from the event benefited the Children’s Hospital of Austin.

PUBLICATION: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
SECTION: Sports
PAGE: C2