(Results are down below.)

The Men

The Men's action was hot and heavy in this year's event. After the first 3 miles the pack was whittled down to about 15 skaters. Eddy Matzger made some attempts at the lead but it became clear that the pack wasn't going to let him get away. With about a mile to go, Jono Gorman--who was holding his own with the pack--took a turn at the lead.

At this point, Eddy was second in the pace line. Seeing that he wasn't going to get away, Eddy decided to try an experiment. He tapped Jono on the back and told him to go off the front. Eddy continued skating in rhythm, making no reaction when Jono took off. Unbelievably, the rest of the pack apparently didn't see Jono go. They thought that everyone was still together.

At the point that Jono was about 40 feet on the downside of the final hill, the rest of the pack topped the hill and saw him. The pack broke apart as it became every man for himself. Eleven time World Champion Derek Downing looked like an eagle swooping down on a rabbit. Jono legs were killing him and the finish line still seemed like a mile away but he kept it moving.

At the line, Derek edged him out by a few tenths of a second. But in the end Jono gave the rest of the pack a little bit of a spanking. (Times are listed below.) Eddy and his followers might have us believe that the race was all Eddy's doing, but Jono clearly rose to the occasion. And Derek and the rest of the pack gave us quite a show.

Ryan Cox and Kevin Kmetz were among the lead pack and finshed within a few seconds of the winner. And Thomas & Nathan Lobo finished in the money.

The Ladies

The ladies' finish was not as suspense-filled, but GT's ladies finished very strong just the same. Defending champ Jill Rookard repeated this year, defeating Precision's Mandi Howard by 5 seconds.

There were a few surprises this year, Kim Foster showed us that she's still got it, by coming back from back surgery to finish 3rd. It was good to see her back in action. And Katie Heffelfinger, with lots of encouragement from Kacey Huntington crossed the line in 6th place. Kacey--who finished 7th--and Katie both finished in the money.

Age Division

Despite the fact that the US10K chose not to feature them on the stage after the event (boo! hiss!) we'd like to give a big hand to all the folks who got Age Division placements. Big cheers go out to Christy Brookshire, Greg Gorman, Kathryn Hyzer and Daniel McCarley. Perhaps next year the US10K organizers will allocate enough time to give the age division participants their due.

Women's Overall Results

1. Jilleanne Rookard 20:45.40
2. Mandi Howard 20:51.15
3. Kim Foster 21:55.20
4. Jacqueline Blair 21:55.50
5. Stacey Eldridge
6. Katie Heffelfinger 22:50.30
7. Kacey Huntington 23:22.45

GT Speed Age Division Winners

1st Place Finishers

• Christy Brookshire
• Greg Gorman
• Katherine Hyser

2nd Place Finishers

• Daniel McCarley

Men's Overall Results

1. Derek Downing 18:14.25
2. Jono Gorman 18:14.40
3. Harry Vogel 18:14.60
4. Jonathan Webster 18:15.05
5. Ryan Cox 18:15.10
6. Jordan Nelson 18:15.35
7. Kevin Kmetz 18:17.75
8. Eddy Matzger 18:17.75
9. Rodney Green 18:19.65
10. Anthony Lobello 18:19.80
11. Jimmy Blair 18:22.00
12. Bruce Eldon 19:00.30
13. Thomas Lobo 19:00.45
14. Jesse Blair 19:01.05
15. Nathan Lobo 19:02.70