Quattlebaum Runs 21st Century Event Record in United Community Bank 44th Reedy River Run 10K

4/23/2022

James Quattlebaum winning the 2022 and his third United Community Bank Reedy River Run 10K. (photo: Stephen Moore)

The 44th edition of the United Community Bank Reedy River Run produced one of the fastest times for the 10K event as Greenville's James Quattlebaum won for the third time. Since the first race back in 1978, there have only been just a few multi-time champions. Irishman Marty Flynn, of Clemson, won three consecutive years from 1988 to 1990. Quattlebaum joins Flynn as the only 3-time champion. And while winning the 2022 race he equaled the third fastest time in race history, which was Jim Cooper's 29:20 in 1985. The actual event record is the 29:04 by Wales' Adrian Leek back in 1982. And Travelers Rest, SC's David Branch ran 29:11 in 1983. Those performances were on different courses since this race has used multiple routes over the years due to Greenville's evolving landscape and growth. Due to improved course measuring methodologies, the previous "recognized" event record was Bobby Mack's 29:33, which was run using current certification processes.

Quattlebaum pushed the pace from the sound of the starter's airhorn and was closely followed by ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Jason Weitzel for almost half the race distance. Weitzel finished as the runner-up, just like in the 2021 event, but ran 35 seconds faster this year. James and Jason currently are ranked first and second in the South Carolina Road Race Rankings and today's performances should reinforce those rankings. Greenville's Ricky Flynn replicated his third place finish from 2021, this time running 30:45.

Quattlebaum earned $500 for the victory, $500 for event record and $100 for first South Carolina finisher for a total of $1,100. Weitzel won a total of $650 ($400 for 2nd, $50 for 2nd SC and $200 for a time bonus), while Flynn takes home $325 for his third place overall and third SC finisher. Weitzel's time would have won this race the past six editions.

Victoria Hammersmith bests Mackenzie Lowe by four seconds to win United Community Bank 44th Reedy River Run (photo: Stephen Moore)

The race for the women's title was fairly close as Mauldin, SC's Victoria Hammersmith finished only four seconds ahead of ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Mackenzie Lowe. Their times were 36:12 and 36:16. Hammersmith's victory earned her $525. She receives $425 for first (since the required minimum time for 100% award money for winning was running under 35;30). She added $100 to that as first SC finisher. Lowe earned a total of $450, combining her overall and SC winnings. Greenville's Shelby Jaramillo placed third, running a huge personal best with a time of 36:47 for a total of $325.

Other notable 10K performances included Men's Grand Masters (50+) top two placers Eddie Posey (50) with a time of 36:26 and Philippe Giguere (52) at 36:35. Simpsonville's Matt Koppenheffer won the Men's Masters (40+) title with a time of 36:06, which placed him 7th overall. George Sykes (65) won the Senior Grand Masters (60+) with a time of 46:13 and 82-year-old George Luke ran an amazing 51:36.

Ale Sabio-Kennedy of Clemson, SC won the Women's Masters with a time of 43:59, while Laura Cook of Taylors, SC took the Women's Grand Masters title in 48:37. Myrtle Beach's Judy Phelps won the Women's Senior Grand Masters award with a time of 50:52.

The 5K race was won by Simpsonville's Pablo Lozano (18:09) and Greenville's Juliee Mackin (21:11).

Results can be viewed @ 2022 Results. Due to using starting waves these results were determined from "chip times" instead of the actual "gun time."