By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
April 15, 2001
The 18th Annual Anderson Cup Road Race had all of the usual elements of years past, a good sized crowd of spectators and runners, music, plenty of refreshments and an overall family atmosphere.
And yes, the winner was the same, too.
Mike Thrailkill, who seemingly owns the Anderson Cup, took it home again Saturday morning finishing first in the 146-person field with a time of 17:25.
But for Thrailkill, each year the young stock of runners just keeps coming at him.
Last year Meridian High's Peter Davidson nearly beat Thrailkill for the title and this year another MHS up-and-comer was only 12 seconds away from pulling off the feat, as 16 year-old Wildcat runner Ian Hajek came in second clocking in at 17:37.
The two had battled for first and second place over the opening MAA races this season and Saturday was no different. Thrailkill took first over Hajek at the Jingle Bell Run in December and the youngster returned the favor in both the Laird and Raider Runs.
The student seemed to chalk it up to the odds.
Hajek said Thrailkill's consistency eventually told the tale.
Hajek said this course was much different than the ones he had run in the past and it was certainly to his liking.
Amy Davis took was the first female to cross the line, coming in 18th overall with a time of 20:37.
Davis said the new course, which is less hilly, was still no less challenging.
Davis, who leans more toward long distance runs and triathlons, said the 5K was good for working up leg speed.
In the grand masters category, 73 year-old Harold Keyes completed the 5K in 30:27.
In the two-mile walk, 56 year-old Larry Sykes took first, striding in at 19:10.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. Email him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.