SHELBYVILLE, IL. — Former Shelbyville Ram running stars Ron Lavaire and Paige Biehler swept the men's and women's divisions at the 9th Annual Tom Short 5k Run on Saturday at Shelbyville's Forest Park.

The Shelbyville 5k signature race had the largest turnout in its history, despite pre-race thunder, lightning, and rain. There was a drip of rain during most the race. It began more steady as the final runners were finishing up.

There were 279 runners that started the 5k, plus many more in the 1-mile fun run/walk.

"I'm tickled," said race coordinator Jerry Yockey. "I was very pleased with the turnout as this was our largest crowd in the nine year history of the race.  The race attracts more runners from Central Illinois every year, including many local cross country teams. This year, we had teams from Shelbyville, Sullivan, Mattoon, Taylorville and Neoga. Our race also has a focus of encouraging first-time runners. We do this by offering the Tom Short Training Team eight-week program. It is a really good feeling to watch our Training Team members finish the race."

Lavaire, who ran for Shelbyville, then for Xavier University, broke his course record from last year. Biehler, a  Shelbyville former state medalist in the 800 meters, is currently running for Eastern Illinois University.

Two area favorites coming into the race were Bagelfest 5k winner and runner-up, Stanley Donahoo of Shelbyville (22) and Dale Righter of Mattoon (44). Donahoo placed 3rd in the Tom Short on Saturday and won his age group (20-29) with a finishing time (17:14) near his time from the Bagelfest. Donahoo was part of the 3rd best team at the Short Run. The Shelbyville team, B5, was made up of Ron Lavaire (1st), Stanley Donahoo (3rd, team 3rd), Brennon Baker (13th, team 9th), Elliott Uphoff (20th, team 15th), and Zach Duck (102nd, team 49th).

Righter finished 16th overall, but still was the repeat Masters Winner (40 and over). Righter’s time (19:23) was off some from the Bagelfest. Righter was also part of the 2nd best team finish at the Short Run. His team from Mattoon, B1, was made up John Righter, Chris Third, Nick Heller, Dale Righter and Ben Righter.  

Multiple Female Masters Winner Kathy Fulk (58) was just barely beaten out this year by a woman 17 years younger, Rachel Cravatta of Sullivan (41). Sullivan finished in 25:14 and Fulk finished just ten seconds later (25:24). Fulk won her age group (50-59) easily, by a minute, 37 seconds.

The best team effort came from Sullivan high School and former Sullivan High School runners. Michael Giberson (18) finished 2nd overall (16:50), Cameron Harvey finished 6th (18:06), Micah Plank was 15th overall, team 11th, (19:22), Cody Carman was 18th overall, team 13th (19:40), and Bill Brown was 19th overall, team 14th (19:42).

The best mixed team was from Shelbyville, M1. It was made up of Levi Pruemer team 25th (21:19), Molly Yockey team 29th (21:59), Kaleb Pruemer team 32nd (22:09), Kyle Brown team 35th (22:23), and Maggy Yockey team 53rd (26:11). The best female team came from Taylorville made up of Ward Brooke team 34th, Allison Collingwood team 37th, Michelle Childers team 40th, Macy Brown team 42nd, and Paige Davis team 47th.

Kayelyn Duckett, Shelbyville High School’s top distance female had a great finish, edging Liz Dole of Mattoon down the stretch.

Duckett out-raced Dole to finished as the second female overall (20:55). Dole (21) of Mattoon ran a 20:56. Dole was 3rd in 2009 when she beat Duckett by 2 seconds. Her time from 2009 was 22:10. Dole won her age group last year (20-29) with a time of 21:22. Duckett won her age group last year (15-16) with a time of 21:30, eight seconds back of Dole.

Dole beat her 2009 time by 1:14 on Saturday and beat her 2010 time by 26 seconds, but she just couldn’t beat Duckett. Duckett, who suffered through physical problems and injury in her junior year comes into her senior cross country season in a much better position.

Tom Short 2011 Top Results

Overall Male Winner: Ron Lavaire, Urbana (25) 16:36

Overall Female Winner: Paige Biehler, Shelbyville (20) 20:25

Overall Male Masters Winner: Dale Righter, Mattoon (44) 19:23

Overall Female Masters Winner: Rachel Cravatta, Sullivan (41) 25:14

Overall Top 10: 1. Ron Lavaire, Urbana (25) 16:36, 2. Michael Giberson, Sullivan (18) 16:50, 3. Stanley Donahoo, Shelbyville (22) 17:14, 4. John Righter, Mattoon (16) 17:46, 5. Chris Third, Mattoon (16) 17:59, 6. Cameron Harvey, Sullivan (17) 18:06, 7. Doug Powers, Greenup (21) 18:38, 8. Tye Sutherland, Toledo (15) 18:42, 9. Nicholas Heller, Mattoon (20) 18:46, 10. Alex Matlock, Shelbyville (16) 18:53

Top 3 Male Teams: 1. B3 (2. Michael Giberson, 6. Cameron Harvey, 11. Micah Plank, 13. Cody Carman, 14. Bill Brown) 1:33.37 (18:43.37 avg); 2. B1 (4. John Righter, 5. Chris Third, 7. Nicholas Heller, 12. Dale Righter, 21. Ben Righter) 1:34.35 (18:52.86 avg); 3. B5 (1. Ron Lavaire, 3. Stanley Donahoo, 9. Brennon Baker, 15. Elliott Uphoff, 49. Zach Duck) 1:38.22 (19:40.25 avg)  

Top Mixed Team: M4 (25. Levi Pruemer, 29. Molly Yockey, 32. Kaleb Pruemer, 35. Kyle Brown, 53. Maggy Yockey) 1:53.58 (22:47.58 avg)

Top Female Team: G1 (34. Ward Brooke, 37. Allison Collingwood, 40. Michelle Childers, 42. Macy Brown, 47. Paige Davis) 1:58.01 (23:36.10 avg)

Female 14 & U Winner: Molly Yockey, Shelbyville (14) 21:59

Female 15-16 Winner: Ward Brooke, Mt. Auburn (15) 22:18

Female 17-19 Winner: Katelyn Duckett, Shelbyville (17) 20:55

Female 20-29 Winner: Liz Dole, Mattoon (21) 20:56

Female 30-39 Winner: Holly Steiling, Moweaqua (34) 23:36

Female 40-49 Winner: Judy Sinkler, Sullivan (49) 26:08

Female 50-59 Winner: Kathy Fulk, Shelbyville (58) 25:24

Female 60 & Over Winner: Barbara Pumm, Manchester, MO (66) 34:43 

Male 14 & U Winner: Drew Snider, Shelbyville (14) 20:47

Male 15-16 Winner: John Righter, Mattoon (16) 17:46

Male 17-19 Winner: Michael Giberson, Mattoon (18) 16:50

Male 20-29 Winner: Stanley Donahoo, Shelbyville (22) 17:14

Male 30-39 Winner: Kevin Ross, Shelbyville (36) 20:04

Male 40-49 Winner: Steve Walters, Taylorville (45) 19:59

Male 50-59 Winner: Randy Biehler, Shelbyville (54) 21:38

Male 60 & Over Winner: Larry Wilson, Mattoon (60) 23:38