Nearmiss
- Updated: August 3, 2024
Makuvire just misses race record while winning 43rd Woodstock 5K in 14:18. Peppenhorst top female finisher in 18:00. Kidstock record falls.
Editor’s note: For complete results for Saturday’s 43rd annual Woodstock 5K, follow this link.
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
ANNISTON — Bradley Makuvire has run a 5K in 14 minutes and 13 seconds. When he heard that’s the Woodstock 5K record, he kicked his feet into high gear.
When he crested the final hill before Saturday’s 43rd annual Woodstock 5K, he could see the digital timer at the finish line. So, so close.
The former University of South Carolina runner won Saturday’s race in East Anniston, finishing five seconds off of the race record in 14 minutes and:18 seconds.
Former Furman University runner Savannah Peppenhorst was the top female finisher in 18:00 Saturday.
This year’s Woodstock served as the Road Runners Club of America’s Alabama championship for he 5K distance. It drew 1,100 runners, Woodstock race director Hayley Long said, comparable to the 2023 field. The 2023 Woodstock served as the RRCA’s national 5K championhip.
One record did fall Saturday. Brantley Wood, 11, set to begin school at Alexandria Middle Schoo, won the Kidstock 1-mile run in 3:54, breaking the mark set by Hunter Hartwell. Wood won Kidstock last year but took aim at the record when announcers called out Hartwell’s name a the podium.
“This year, I wanted them to get my name right, and I wanted to beat Hunter Hartwell’s record,” Wood said.
Patrick Cheptoek holds the overall Woodstock race record at 14:13, and Risper Gesabwa holds the female record at 16:06. Both records fell in 2012.
The Zimbawean-born Makuvire, 26, who lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn., while working on his Master’s degree in business administration, was considered a threat to set the Woodstock record. He ran a 14:13.02 at the SEC Championships.
“I wanted to get the course record, but I realized down there that I’m way, way behind,” Makuire said, pointing down to the Woodstock Avenue hill crest. “Then the goal was to get at least 14:20.”
Saturday was Makuvire’s first crack at the Woodstock. He had just finished his college career and heard of the Woodstock through his agent while running in the Rainsville 10K, where he finished third.
The Woodstock “is great,” he said. “I love it. I can’t wait to come back next year and try to get the course record.
“It’s a little bit hilly, but it’s great.”
Rounding out the top three overall finishers were Solomon Kagimbi (14:31), from Columbia, S.C., and Huntsville’s Jay Day (15:28).
Purity Munene, from Columbia, S.C., was the second-place female finisher (18:35), and Joy Miller, from West Columbia, S.C., took third (18:40).
More than 1,000 runners participated. This story will be updated.
Peppenhorst, 26, from Norcross, Ga., also made her first Woodstock appearance after running in Rainsville, where she finished second. She said she tried to “run relaxed” Saturday before latching on to a group of male runners in front of her.
She kept pace with them and beat her nearest competitor by 35 seconds.
“This race is run so well,” she said. “I’m very impressed. It was very organized. Hard course but a good course.I really liked it.”
Photos/videos by Joe Medley
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