February | 2017 | Hillsborough Harriers XC

Every year, Tampa’s premier distance running event, the Gasparilla Distance Classic, falls on a February weekend. For competitive middle school runners, it is after cross country season, but before the official start of track season. Harrier Ellie Pleune used her time between seasons to train for the elite Gasparilla racing event, putting in mileage of up to 30 miles per week (Times, 2017). Her efforts paid off, making her the youngest to win in the race’s 40 year history. Pleune competed in two of the weekend’s four events, winning the overall female title in both the 5k and the 8k (Times, 2017).

Ellie Pleune (right) poses with runner-up and former Harrier teammate, Lydia Friedman (center) and 4th place runner Alexandra Perri (left) after the 5k.

The Hillsborough Harriers had 20 current members running in either the 5k or 8k during Gasparilla weekend and a multitude of former Harriers, parents, siblings and coaches.

5k Results from Saturday, February 25, 2017:

11-14 yrs (male):

Carson Caplinger 21:05, 11th
Ryan Campbell 21:22, 12th

15-19 yrs & 11-14(female):

Ellie Pleune 18:14, 1st
Jacquelyn Abanses, 19:44, 6th
Tabitha Suggs 24:29, 8th

10&under (male):

Zach Glover 21:17, 3rd
Brennan Fargher 21:20, 4th
Brock Glover 21:53, 8th
Cooper Chesser 22:51, 10th
Joaquin Abanses 23:03, 12th
Liam Maloney 25:05, 19th
Colin Maloney 27:07, 23rd

10&under (female):

Meaghan Ballard 24:21, 2nd

8k Results from Sunday, February 26, 2017:

11-14 yrs (male):

Zach Harrigan 31:23, 2nd
Will Connery 33:53, 3rd
Wyatt Bedke 35:32, 6th
Carson Caplinger 35:56, 7th

11-14(female):

Ellie Pleune 31:13, 1st
Anna Breede 42:33, 4th

10&under (male):

Oscar Brown 33:27, 1st
Kameron Bass 39:44, 4th

10&under (female):

Madelyn Pleune 44:11, 2nd

hh1

The start of the 8k race, which had over 5,400 participants.

hh2

Oscar Brown and Zach Harrigan pose at the start of the 8k. Oscar (9) won the 10 & under title with the fastest time for that age category since the distance was added.