Quattlebaum and Atkins Win 42nd TD Bank Reedy River Run 10K

James Quattlebaum winning 10K. photo: Greenville News

Esther Atkins won women's title. photo: Greenville News

On an atypical mid-April morning, with cool, cloudy and windy conditions, James Quattlebaum made his debut appearance in the TD Bank Reedy River Run 10K a memorable one as he sprinted to victory over the final 600 meters. Ester Atkins defended her 2018 winner's title and won by over 45 seconds to become a multi-time winner of this event. 

The men's field was one of the deepest in recent years and Greenville's Quattlebaum and Eddie Garcia led in the flatter Cleveland Park portion of the ten kilometer route. ON ZAP Enurance's Aaron Nelson caught the duo and took the lead as Quattlebuam went with him as they dropped Garcia on the challenging 500-meter hill in Falls Park. Once the two leaders crested the hill and turned onto Augusta St and then S. Main Street, Quattlebaum used his kick to put a gap of eight seconds on Nelson. His winning time of 30:18 was the fastest since Elkanah Kibet's 29:57 in 2016 on a slightly different course. The winner represents Greenville's Run In running shop and earned a total of $1300 for his efforts ($1000 for first place,  $200 for first South Carolina resident and a $100 time bonus for running under 30:30). Nelson earned a total of $800 ($700 for second and $100 time bonus). 

Garcia, a member of ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE, hung on for third place with a time of 30:33 and earned $500. His time was ten seconds better than last year's winning time. Fourth place went to Jason Lynch, out of Kaysville, Utah, with a time of 30:44. Rock Hill, SC's Jonathan McGinnis was another five seconds back (30:49) to place fifth. Greenville's Cole Atkins was sixth in 31:09. 

Atkins wife, Esther, had a winning time of 36:35--compared to her time of 35:27 in 2018. OG Gardner improved on her third place finish in 2018 to take second this year in 37:13. Kelly Woodard was the third female finisher and ran 39:13. Atkins earned a total of $1200 for her first place finishes (overall & first South Carolina resident) and Gardner won $700. 

The 10K was the Road Runner's Club of America Southern Region 10K Championship. Quattlebaum and Esther Atkins were crowned the overall champions and received special RRCA Championship medals. Other RRCA Southern Region 10K champions were:
John Eric Ashton (51) of Daniel Island, SC - Masters and Grandmaster division, 34:49
Dave Geer (64) of Clemson, SC - Senior Grandmaster, 42:24
Chrissy Driskell, (41) of Greer, SC - Women Masters,  43:55
Jane Godwin, (59) of Greenville, Women Grandmaster, 48:50
Judy Walls, (60), of Piedmont, SC, Women Senior Grandmaster, 53:05

Race results are available @ 2019 TD Bank Reedy River Run Race Results.

Race photos are available @ 2019 TD Bank Reedy River Run Race Photos.

And on Facebook @ MarathonRuns
​​