Daytona Area Grand Prix inducts inaugural Hall of Fame
Anita Bevins
Sports writer
When Daytona Area Grand Prix founder Jerry Lardinois began tabulating results for the organization's 10-race season, he found that of the 3,500 to 4,000 runners participating in the series, four racers were claiming their fifth consecutive age-group awards.
Those four included Lardinois, Colleen Nicoulin of Port Orange, Jayson Ness of South Daytona and Adam Rafalski of Lake Mary.
So Lardinois created a Hall of Fame for the Grand Prix, the organization that awards points to runners in Grand Prix designated road races, and honored those four runners after the Meals on Wheels 5K at LPGA International last Saturday.
"I came up with the idea about a week ago," Lardinois said. "I have run in grand prix races in Orlando and Melbourne, and I realized it is almost impossible to place five years in a row. So I thought 'Why not make a Hall of Fame to say thank you for helping us in our organization and for helping us grow.'"
Lardinois organized the Grand Prix in conjunction with existing 5K and 10K events in Volusia County. For runners, it has added incentive and motivation to participate in local road races.
"I actually took a holiday because I was supposed to work today," Ness said. "Ordinarily, I would not have done that to run a race."
Nicoulin, the women's overall winner, runs many races in Central Florida, but she only participates in one grand prix series - the Daytona Area Grand Prix.
"I try to run as many local races as I can, just to support the local running community, Nicoulin said. "You can track your progress throughout the season to see how you do. I think it is good that Jerry started this."
The Grand Prix season runs from September to May. The 2008-2009 season will open Sept. 14 with the Hospice of Volusia/Flagler 5K in Port Orange, and also includes the South Daytona 5K, the White Cane Awareness 5K in Ormond Beach, the Ed Root 10K in New Smyrna Beach, the YMCA 10K and 5K in Port Orange, the Sandpiper 5K in Ormond Beach and the SPARC 5K in Ponce Inlet.
Runners who enter those races are automatically eligible for Grand Prix points. At the end of each season, age-group leaders are recognized and awarded plaques.
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Grand Prix Running Series to award five-time winners
Posted: 2008 Feb 22 - 00:16
By Anita Bevins
Sports writer
The 5th Daytona Area Grand Prix Running Series will tick off another event Saturday, Feb. 23 as runners complete the Port Orange YMCA 5K and 10K races.
Of the thousands of runners who have competed in the Grand Prix, five have won division awards in the past and are on track to repeat that feat this year. Colleen Nicoulin, Horace Brannon, Jason Ness, Adam Rafalski and Jerry Lardinois will receive a Five-Time Winner award if they can hold on to their leads through the 10th race of the season.
Results through six races
Male
Overall
1. Brad Cory 12
Masters
1. Tony Moran 23
2. Sean Hendryz 20
Grand Masters
1. Dave Hoock 45
2. Bob Hamlin 28
Senior Grand Masters
1. Silky Sullivan 60
2. Dean Riley 26
Nine-and-under
1. Chris Sullivan 60
2. Ryan Sullivan 40
10-14
1. Craig Jaramillo 37
2. Robert Harms 17
15-19
1. Andrew Epifano 23
2. Jordan Tager 21
20-24
1. Doug Cassaro 17
2. Jon Cassel 13
25-29
1. Jordon Jiloty 20
Rodney Hoffman 20
Michael Stone 20
30-34
1. Jeff Bates 39
2. Brad Cory 27
35-39
1. Jason Ness 22
2. Ed Eisler 11
40-44
1. Tony Moran 34
2. Sean Hendryz 20
45-49
1. Jim Reardon 20
2. Steve Harridge 19
50-54
1. Dave Hoock 47
2. J J O'Malley 32
55-59
1. Bob Hamlin 51
2. James Masters 21
60-64
1. Silky Sullivan 60
2. Bob Broadwater 35
65-69
1. Dean Riley 37
2. Narciso Tavales 23
70-74
1. Jerry Lardinois 50
2. Emi Skroch 21
Females
Overall
1. Colleen Nicoulin 47
2. Katie Hoover 42
Masters
1. Susan O'Malley 50
2. Sheila Sullivan 41
Grand Masters
1. Jeanie Burgess 33
2. Nancy Baron 20
Senior Grand Masters
1. Mary Machoga 37
2. Alta Rose 24
Nine-and-under
1. Allison Mott 20
10-14
1. Lindsay Sullivan 45
2. Camille Clark 26
20-24
1. Joy Borgwardt 43
2. Dana Gross-Rhodes 31
25-29
1. Katie Hoover 60
2. Kelly Cory 31
30-34
1. Colleen Nicoulin 50
2. Julie Postlethwart 33
35-39
1. April Darrow 37
2. Stacy Ferner 29
40-44
1. Sheila Sullivan 50
2. Mary ann Rau 48
45-49
1. Susan O'Malley 50
2. Sharon Marsh 34
50-54
1. Nancy Baron 20
2. Pam Chatman 17
55-59
1. Jeanie Burgess 47
2. Joyce Whitney 20
60-64
1. Mary Machoga 37
2. Judy Scroch 20
65-69
1. Alta Rose 60
2. Barbara Troy 10
70-74
1. Verna Miller 47
2. Joanne Egart 10
75-79
1. Lois Clark 57
2. Ann Kahl 10
Hildy Fosse 10
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Grand Prix ups the ante for awards Posted: 2007 Sep 28 - 00:14 By Anita Bevins Sports writer The Daytona Area Grand Prix kicks off its fifth year of competition in conjunction with the running of the South Daytona 5K Saturday. The Grand Prix series was established to increase the number of runners in local events. According to founder Jerry Lardinois, every race on the 10-race schedule has seen a rise in the number of participants. Runners who compete in at least five of the 10 races are eligible for awards. The top five runners in the 30 Grand Prix categories (determined by age and gender) receive points in each race. At the end of the season, the top two participants in each category receive awards. "This year a new feature has been added," Lardinois said. "Any runner winning their fifth award in the Grand Prix will be awarded a polo shirt with the wording 'Five Time Winner,' with the Grand Prix logo. Award winners come in all different ages. Megan Burgman, age 9, won the 9-and-under female, while Lois Clark, 78 years young, won the 75-and-over." Nearly 3,000 runners competed in last year's Grand Prix. There are no additional entry fees for the series; paid entries to each individual race automatically enter runners for the Grand Prix. Points are awarded based on overall finishes and finishes within age groups. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Prix rewards runners for logging quick miles Posted: 2007 Jun 08 - 00:40 By Anita Bevins Sports writer Nearly 50 area runners received recognition from the Daytona Area Grand Prix following last month's season finale at the Meals of Wheels 5K in Daytona Beach. Runners who participated in at least half of the 10 Grand Prix races since September accumulated points towards trophies. For some of the runners, the rewards were a family affair. Sheila Sullivan won the coveted Over-All Female award, and her sons, Christian and Ryan Sullivan, finished first and second in the 9-and-under group. Daughter Lindsey received first place in the age 10-14 division. Lois Clark narrowly defeated Marjorie Byron to capture the Senior Grand Master award, and Clark's granddaughter, Camille Clark, placed second in the 10-14 category. An edge in head-to-head competition broke a tie between Kelly McComiskey and Brooke Tuohy in the 25-29 age group. McComiskey ran the Sandpiper 5K on the same day as her March wedding, just to earn the points. Grand Prix founder Jerry Lardinois said 2,400 runners participated in the fourth annual competition. All of the races of the schedule benefit local charities. The Grand Prix season resumes Sept. 29 with the South Daytona 5K.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When running just isn't enough Posted: 2007 Feb 02 - 00:15
Grand Prix racers compete to keep local charity dollars local By Anita Bevins Sports writer At age 71, Jerry Lardinois has racked up some miles. The veteran road runner has participated in more than 600 races and he trains five days a week. "I run anywhere from five to 12 miles a day," Lardinois said. "And I have a very unusual training schedule. Most runners laugh at me. I like to run when it is not nice. I like to run when it is hot and humid. I find that when you run in practice and it is not ideal conditions, then when you get to a race and it is not ideal, you are in better shape. Adversity makes you stronger as a runner. I do speed work on the track, and I run the Dunlawton bridge so that the workout is harder. When I get to a race, mentally, I think it is easier." Lardinois loves to run. He used to play softball and race motorcycles, but he is hooked on running. And while he loves the competition and camaraderie of road racing, he runs for another reason. "I remember running in Green Bay, Wis., and I had a hamstring problem. I was thinking, 'Oh my poor hamstring.' Then I saw a little girl in a wheelchair and thought why am I whining? This little girl would love to run with a hamstring problem. It is a great sport and there are great people in it, but you should never take it for granted; always be appreciative," he said. To show his appreciation, Lardinois began a charity race, the Beer Belly Two, in his home state. Since 1989, that race has raised nearly $500,000 to benefit children with cancer. "I had a two-mile course. We had beer and root beer at tables along the course where you stopped and got a beer. People dressed like centipedes and stuff and it was my way of giving something back; it was an awakening for me. When I came to Florida, there had never been a Grand Prix here in Daytona, and the longer I stayed here, the more I thought I wanted to do something to help the local charities." So four years ago, Lardinois and his wife, Beth, organized the Daytona Area Grand Prix to generate interest in local 5k and 10k races. In the first year, he worked with eight existing races to raise money for local causes. In the next year, he picked up two more races. "It starts in late September with the South Daytona 5k, and the last race of the year is the 5k Meals on Wheels in May. That is when we hand out the awards," Lardinois said. "We give awards to first and second place in 15 male and 15 female age groups. Then we give first-place overall and first-place masters, grand masters and senior grand masters." Lardinois call himself "just a little cog in the wheel," and credits the directors of the individual events with putting on well-organized races. The next event of the Grand Prix schedule is the Feb. 24 YMCA Healthy Heart. The 10k begins at 7 a.m. and the 5k runners start at 8 a.m. Runners must participate in at least five of the Grand Prix events to be eligible for the year-end awards. For more information, log onto daytonaareagrandprix.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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