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Nike Runners Score Big In Gasparilla 5K

Tribune photos by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Brian McGovern of Bonita Springs was the men's winner and Jamie Hord of Portland, Ore., took the women's title.

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By BILL WARD | TBO.com

Published: February 28, 2009

In today's final and largest Gasparilla event, the 5-kilometer run, Brian McGovern of Bonita Springs was the men's winner, and Jamie Hord of Portland, Ore., took the women's title. Both runners are Nike employees who often turn up to represent the shoe and apparel giant at races and expos.

McGovern, 27, covered the 3.1-mile course in 15 minutes, 13 seconds, seven seconds ahead of runner-up Clint Bell of Dallas. The top local male in the 5K was Sickles High senior Derek Wehunt, who was third overall in 15:36.

Hord, 26, won the women's division in 18:31, 26 seconds faster than second-place Andress of Davie. The first local female was Durant High sophomore Grace VanDeGrift, who ran a personal best 5K of 19:41.

A record field of more than 9,500 runners and walkers registered for this year's 5K while 4,500 entered the 15K.

Three people experienced medical conditions, race director Susan Harmeling said. One unidentified woman was taken to Tampa General Hospital with a possible heart condition, she said. Another woman was treated by paramedics for an asthma condition. The third person fell and injured a shoulder, but is expected to recover.

Tribune reporter Bill Ward can be reached at 813-259-7456.

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