MADISON — To train for the upcoming cross country season in the fall, Emporia State’s Skyler Delmott has taken to running in road races this summer to stay on top of his competitive game.
Delmott looked in fine form Saturday morning at the Madison Days River Run, finishing the 8-kilometer course several minutes ahead of everyone else to take home the top finisher honors.
“Road races are a good way to get in a good, fast workout in the summer,” Delmott said. “I’d like to do one at least every other week to do something faster to see where I’m at for the fall.”
The 8K race on Saturday was quite different than the weekend before when Delmott ran in the Dam to Dam 20K race in Des Moines, Iowa. Delmott finished eighth overall out of 3,971 finishers, but the good showing didn’t come without a cost.
“I actually felt really good out there today, which was really surprising because I had been feeling bad all week after running that 20K,” Delmott said. “I got out there today and got into a zone.”
Delmott, a graduate of Emporia High, said he will average around 70 miles per week this summer in preparation for the cross country season. That includes taking on several more road races like the Madison River Run.
“I’m going to try to jump into road races every chance I get,” he said.
Meanwhile, the top finisher on the women’s side was Amy VanGundy, a graduate of Northern Heights and a master’s student at Pittsburg State.
VanGundy just finished up her eligibility at PSU, where she ran cross country and track, which means if she wants to run competitively, she must enter races on her own.
Having never done an 8K before, she said she figured, “Why not?”
“I’m just running for fun now,” said VanGundy, who finished well ahead of the second-place finisher, Donna Thomsen. “I’m just starting to do these types of races, but I want to do more. I just love running.
“I don’t think I’ll ever stop running, or at least I hope I don’t. These races give me something to look forward to.”
Verdigras Valley River Run
Saturday in Madison
Men’s 8K Run
Age 16 and under — 1st place: Lance Sadler
Over 16 — 1st place: Skyler Delmott; 2nd place: Danny Giefer
Women’s 8K Run
Over 16 — 1st place: Amy VanGundy; 2nd place: Donna Thomsen
2-Mile Run/Walk
Age 16 and under — 1st place: Shelby Melton, Miranda Murphy (tie); 2nd place: Halsten Higgens
Over 16 — 1st place: Belinda Martin, Nakita Elwood (tie); 2nd place: Pam Shankie