A record field of more than 1000 started the mile-long race from the steps of the Capitol, down Congress to the finish on the Congress Avenue Bridge. Even though a world-class field was missing, there were still some scintillating times.

Leading the way was Chris Dugan, a 25-yerar-old steeplechaser, who ran 4:17.8 to just edge out Barry Kahn by less than a half second to record the fastest time of the morning in the final heat. Dugan and Kahn were followed to the finish by two former UT runners; Steve Sisson in 4:24.5 and Donnie O’Neal two seconds later.

The fastest woman miler on the warm, humid morning was 22-year-old Nora Colligan with a time of 5:02.6. Colligan, who recently moved to town, ran in college for Northwestern University of the Big 10.

Top masters were Richard Mendez, 40, who ran a superb 4:33.1 and Cathy Smith who recorded a 5:17 mile to lead the women.

PRs were the order of the day for many of the milers/marathoners, but possibly the most outstanding time was by 90-year-old Jerzy Kuszakiewicz who turned in a 8:52 mile which is a world age group road record (although the record could not be confirmed).

Results

• Fall 2004 results
• Fall Race – Overall
• Fall Race – Searchable
• Fall Race – Age Group

With the weather setting the stage for a perfect race- mid 70s and a slight tailwind- a quartet of speedsters blasted off from the steps of the Capitol, blazing through the first quarter in 54-55 seconds. The pack was young and fast: Ndikumana, 24, Chis Dugan, 24, an 8:34 steeplechaser, Brian Rue, 25, a former UT track standout with a 1:48 800 meter best, and Jesus Torres, 22, a Mexican runner who took fifth at last month’s Scholtzsky’s Bun Run.

Lots of guys can blast a 55 second 400, but not many can hang on to that speed for a mile.

“I knew we had three guys capable of winning, and that drove the competition,” said race sponsor Paul Carrozza of RunTex. “It was anyone’s race. Jean Marie really showed his abilities, and I was so impressed with Dugan, a very tough steeplechaser.”

At about the halfway mark, (1:56), Dugan moved into the lead, but remained cautious.

“Right then, the pack was starting to break up a bit, and at three quarters (2:56) I knew I really had to push the pace so I wouldn’t get out-kicked,” he said. “I knew Jean Marie had good closing speed.”

Sure enough, just onto the Congress Avenue Bridge, Ndikumana passed Dugan hard on the right. “At that point my legs had a lot of lactic acid, and I couldn’t really match his move,” said Dugan. “He just kind of blew by.”

Ndikumana hit the tape in a 3:56.7, edging out Dugan’s 3:58.3, while Torres just nipped the four minute mark in 3:59.9 for third. Rue held on for fourth in 4:02.3.

“I was able to catch him by closing hard,” said Ndikumana “This was my first road mile, and of course my first time under 4:00. I’m still hoping to get on the Olympic 1,500 team for Burundi, my native country. “Right now I’ve got a 3:44 best, but I’ll need to get under 3:40 to make the team.”

The women’s elite race failed to materialize, with only Kira Jorgensen and Lori Stich-Zimmerman entered. The pair could not have been more different. Jorgensen, 32, of Seabrook, is a former national high school cross country champion, comfortable at distances of 5,000 meters or less, while Zimmerman, 33, is a tried-and-true marathoner, used to going long and easy. Jorgensen knocked out a 4:42, for the win, while Stich-Zimmerman, fresh off of a 2:38:44 15th place at the women’s Olympic marathon trials, clocked a 5:02.

Results

• Elite Men
• Elite Women
• Women 39 and Under
• Women Over 40
• Men 29 and Under
• Men Over 40
• Kids
• High School – Boys
• Photos – Kreutz Photography
• High School – Girls
• Men 30 to 39
• Invitational Masters Men
• RunTex Employees /Ex-Employees
• Baby Jogger
• Searchable with 1500m Split