05/28/2006

TC's Grant wins 1st Bayshore 10K title

TC West senior runner-up behind TC East teacher

BY DENNIS CHASE

dchase@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Jami Grant was hoping to run Saturday's Bayshore 10K in under 39 minutes.

The Traverse City East Junior High biology teacher just missed her goal.

But that's about all she missed in capturing the women's title.

Grant's time of 39:15 was a personal best on the Bayshore course — and it was almost a minute faster than second-place finisher Jessie Hemming in the women's race.

For Grant, who was second a year ago in 39:24, it was her first Bayshore victory.

"It was a wonderful day," said the Traverse City Central assistant cross country coach. "We had beautiful weather and there were lots of Traverse City fans cheering (along the course). It was exciting."

Grant, who's been running the Bayshore "on and off" since she was 12, was coming off a strong finish in the Fifth Third River Bank 25K run in Grand Rapids. Grant ran that race in 1:45.35 to place 31st in the women's field.

"My training's going well," she said. "I'm having fun with it."

Given the heat, Grant was glad she opted for the shorter distance.

"It's (weather) fine for a 10K, difficult for a marathon," she said.

Hemming, a Traverse City West senior, finished in 40:11.

"I went out thinking I was going to run for fun," she said. "But then my competitive nature got the best of me. I had to go after (Grant).

"I was happy with my time and with my race."

Hemming, who will run at Aquinas College next season, admitted the heat caught up with her.

"By the third mile I was really warm," she said. "I knew I had three more miles left and it was kind of hard to psychologically stay with it. But I got through it."

Ryan Linden, 24, won the men's race in 33:01. Former Traverse City runner Adam Wheeler was second in 33:12.

Wheeler set the early pace before Linden surged to the lead about halfway through the race.

"At three miles, I decided to make a move and go for it," the Rochester Hills resident said. "I felt relaxed and comfortable. I'm very happy with the way it went."

Linden, who trains with runners in the Hanson-Brooks Distance Project, is preparing for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth next month.

"I'm trying to make the Olympic Trials," he said.

Linden, who's run a 2:29 marathon, needs to run a 2:22 to qualify.

Linden was pushed by Wheeler on Saturday.

"I know Ryan trains with Hansons so I decided the only thing I could do to make myself better was to run a little harder," Wheeler said.

The strategy worked for about half the race. Then Linden made his move.

"I was able to hang with Ryan a little, but I could see he felt better than I did," said Wheeler, laughing. "I gave it the best go I could."

Wheeler, who lives in Westland, plans to return to his hometown in July to run the Cherry Festival.

"I was pleased with how I did today, but I'm shooting for the summer," he said. "I want to come back and do some damage in the Cherry Festival race. I've never been able to win the 5K. It seems every time I come up here there are some big guns that run it. I'm going to get in shape for that one."