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Spinnler Still Tops in BlossomDefending Champ Wins Apple Blossom 10K Women’s TitleBy JEFF NATIONSThe Winchester StarMaria Spinnler heard the talk going around Saturday’s Apple Blossom 10K racing field.A group of Russian runners, almost last-minute entries for the race, had arrived intent on winning both the men’s and women’s races.Among them was 27-year-old Elvira Kolpakova, the 1999 European 100K champion.Spinnler, the defending women’s champion, was aware of her competition, but didn’t let it both- , er her. She won again Saturday, with a time of 37:11 on a hot, muggy day. She easily outdistanced Kolpakova, who finished second with a time of 38:29.“In the beginning, I knew there was one Russian girl, so I just wanted to focus on her,” said Spinnler, who lives in Hagerstown, Md. “I didn’t know what shape she was in or anything like that, so I just kind of let her lead for about two minutes.“Then I was running really comfortable, so I thought ‘Aw, I’m just going to run my own race.’ ”Spinnler took the lead for good about a mile and a quarter into the race, taking home her fourthApple Blossom 10K title.The heat played a factor in Spinnler’s decision to start slow and stay on her pace.“I’ve seen so many runners just flat-out pass out because of the heat,” Spinnler said. “Especially being the first really hot day, you’re not really acclimated to it.“I was kind of focusing on myself, just to make sure I was in control so I didn’t lose it. Once you lose it, it’s tough to come back.” Elizabeth McCullough of Shep-herdstown, W.Va., took third with a time of 40:30, Bette Dzamba of Charlottesville was fourth in 40:43, and Fairfax’s Clair Smith finished fifth in 41:18.See Spinnler Page C2
Newspaper Details
Winchester Star
Winchester, Virginia, US
Mon, May 08, 2000
Page 17
Full Page
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MD, USA 11 Dec 2024
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