BEEP! BEEP!: ROAD RUNNERS MAKE PRESENCE FELT IN ST. LOUIS MARATHON

Three local runners -- all members of the Cape Girardeau Road Runners -- certainly made a major impact during last Sunday's prestigious St. Louis Marathon.

Ron Keller finished sixth overall among men and the 41-year-old runner also won the men's masters division (40 and over) with a time of 2:48.38.

Terry McDowell was seventh overall among men in a time of 2:51.27, which placed him first in the men's 35-39 division.

And Cindy Sprigg, competing in her first-ever marathon, placed 18th overall among women and third in the 35-39 women's division with a time of 3:44.22.

Although Keller, who was running in his second St. Louis Marathon, had a better time by five seconds last year, he placed higher overall this time around.

"It was a lot cooler last year," he said with a laugh in explaining his faster time in 1996. "But I was pretty satisfied with how I placed."

McDowell, a veteran of 10 St. Louis Marathons, also ran faster last year, when he turned in a personal best. But he finished two places better overall this year and also won his age division for the first time.

Said McDowell with a chuckle, "I had a terrible race. I had a charley horse at 13 miles, which made the second half a real interesting experience."

As for Sprigg, she was elated with her showing in her first marathon.

"I've run the local 5Ks, 10Ks and half-marathons, but never a marathon," she said. "I just wanted to finish. My main goal was to finish under four hours. Winning an age-group award was a real surprise."

While McDowell and Keller figure to almost certainly return to St. Louis for the marathon next year, Sprigg said she'll decide later.

"We'll see how the legs feel and then decide," she said with a grin.

* Former Southeast Missouri State University standout runner Jan Gautier placed second overall among women in 2:51.16.

Gautier now lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., where her husband Bill coaches Tennessee-Chattanooga's track program. Bill Gautier is a former track and cross country coach at Southeast.

* For the first time this year, the St. Louis Marathon featured relay-type competition and three local runners won their division.

The team of Vicky Keller, Carlen Keller and Brian Kelpe combined for a time of 3:14 to finish first in the corporate coed division.