Homeport 5K

On Saturday, July 17, Ray Martin and I got up early and traveled through a rain storm so hard that we could hardly see the road to go to the twelfth annual Homeport Causeway Classic in Pascagoula, Mississippi. 152 people showed up to run the 5K in cloudy and very windy conditions. The course is an out and back and the wind almost stopped us on the way out across the causeway. Leonard Vergunst gave a few instructions before the race. We had a prayer and the National Anthem, and then we were off.

Leonard took the early lead and had no trouble winning he race with a time of 17:28. Lisa Wood Helm was the overall female winner. Bill Gasparrini was the male Masters winner, and Kristin
Vergunst was the female Masters winner. Paul Bergman and Betty Leverton were the Grand Masters winners. Nick and Jo Burrows were the race walk winners. Phillip Wedgeworth, Ray Martin and Chuck Gatzman represented the local area well. Phillip was ninth overall and first in his age group. Ray was second in his age group, and Chuck was third in his.

This race was interesting in many ways. Three husbands and wives (Leonard and Kristin Vergunst, John and Lisa Helm, and Nick and Jo Burrows) all did well. Also interesting is that four of the top ten were over fifty years old and two were over forty. It seems that the old guys are showing up and doing well. After the race, we had showers, lots of food and an indoor facility for the awards. Much thanks to Leonard, Terry, Denise and everyone who helped make this race a success. © Phillip Wedgeworth

See Results

Ready for the start