Stablemate Tawny Bybee ran stellar 1:15:56 to drop out a 42” PB over the half marathon and take third spot at this year’s competitive Hobble Creek half marathon.

Pro runner, Christina Vergara-Aleshire won the race in 1:13:05. The Nevada athlete, who finished 23rd in this year’s US Olympic Marathon Trials, ran a cracking race.

With the old coronavirus pandemic blitzing the race scene, Tawny felt starved of action. After several sensational Stazza’s Stable ‘Matches’ over a range of distances,Tawny knew she could come away with a cheeky little PB… 

Tawny’s thoughts on the race:  

“A REAL race recap! Dustin and I raced the Hobblecreek half yesterday and came away with a couple PRs! 1:15:56 for me and 1:07:43 for Dust. We both ended up 3rd as well! 

This was the first official race we’ve both done since the beginning of February. (I had to pull out of the one a couple weeks ago). We had no idea how it would go. I’ve run this course four times now. It’s one of my favorites- it’s beautiful with rollers towards the end. I went out with the front two girls and we came through the first mile in 5:26. It surprised me because I hadn’t been looking at my watch. I immediately backed off and settled into a 5:40-5:50 pace for the next 10 miles. I felt like it was that sweet spot where if you run any faster, you’ll blow up, but you can hold. 

When we hit the rollers I was happy to maintain pace. Mile 12 was the worst when I stepped off the edge of the asphalt and heard a “pop”. Nice twisted ankle. Limped for a second and then pushed through. It held up, but it’s quite bruised now. 

Last mile I kept looking at my watch. My goal was to see 1:15, but I was right on the bleeding edge. Gave it everything and kicked in hard. My finish line pic is not pretty. I felt like I was going to throw up. And then I just crashed on the grass right at the finish. I didn’t want to move. Super happy with my 42” PR. 

Congrats to Dustin’s brother, Ryan, who won Master’s with a 1:09. Thanks to @runnerscornerutah for putting on a great and safe race. As part of nutrition plan for the marathon, I fuelled with @maurten_official before and at 6 miles.”

The Stable News tracked down The Stablemaster on his private Greek Island  and as asked for his thoughts on Tawny’s run: “Great run. A 42” PB over the half is some going, especially as Tawny wasn’t in half shape. She’s in marathon training. For me, she’s the clear favourite to win this year’s St George marathon. If the race goes ahead, she’ll run 2:35.”

Super cop, Ollie O’Sullivan, snatched a great victory in blustery conditions at Saturday’s  Kerry Cancer Support Group 5000m which went ahead under government, COVID-19 guidelines at Castleisland.

In his first ever track race, the crime buster put away the field with a blistering finish—perfected chasing/running away from gangstas. 

Fondly known within Stazza’s Stable as, O’ Clouseau, the fastest cop in Tralee displayed the tactical nouse of a seasoned pro:

“The Stablemaster told me to tuck in behind the other runners and let the wind break them,” the delighted O’ Clouseau told The Stable News, clutching his huge trophy. “Given the conditions, today wasn’t about times. I sat in behind a couple of runners. One lad pressed on and then in the final laps, I pulled him back in and pushed on past him. I’m delighted with the win and looking forward to the year ahead.”

The Stablemaster told The Stable News he was pleased with O’ Clouseau’s progress and his win. “Following a few years of injuries, O’ Clouseau came to The Stable, hoping to run a significant PB at the Tralee half marathon, but now with the race cancelled, we’ve changed direction. O’ Clouseau will target the Bandit Series, which we put on for our athletes. But today was a great start for him: his finish was like something out of a chase scene from the Keystone Cops.”