MCQUAIDE, LEATHERS BREAK TAPE

Intense heat and humidity could not prevent two first-time winners from emerging as the overall champions during Friday night's 14th annual Kohlfeld Riverfest Run in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Jim McQuaide of Granite City, Ill., and Karen Leathers of Cape Girardeau prevailed in the 5.25-mile race. Their times were 29 minutes 22 seconds and 36 minutes 3 seconds, respectively.

"The heat was a factor, but I try to train in it," said McQuaide, who was competing in his first Riverfest Run. "Considering the hills and heat, I was satisfied with my race. But I can't believe I won."

That's because defending champion Joe Dandridge led virtually the entire race before the heat got the better of him just several hundred yards from the finish line. Dandridge was overcome by the heat and did not finish. He was later taken to Southeast Hospital, where a hospital spokeswoman said he was in stable condition.

"The guy in front of me led the whole five miles," McQuaide said. "I pretty much gave up at four miles, then at five he quit so I passed him in the last 300 meters."

McQuaide, 32, ran track and cross country for one year at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He works for United Parcel Service and says he tries to compete in a race about every other weekend.

"I got a race form for this one at a race in St. Louis," he said. "It's a tough course, but it's nice. I think I'll be back here next year."

Kyle Chasteen was the second overall male finisher in 29:50 while James Johnson placed third in 29:51.

For Leathers, 30, the victory was her first in three tries.

"I'm usually in the top five, but I've never won it," she said. "I had a good race for me, a PR (personal best). But some of the fast people didn't run."

Still, Leathers was more than satisfied after fighting off the heat and humidity.

"It was hot, but I run this course a lot," she said. "I try to get acclimated to the heat."

Asked if this was the highlight of her running career so far, she smiled and said, "Sure. It's pretty exciting since I've never won it before."

Sunny Gilbert was the second overall female finisher in 36:46 while Becky Harkema wound up third in 37:12.

Overall Masters (40-over) winners were Ron Keller for the men (31:16) and Pam Chaffin for the women (44:07).

A total of 375 runners competed in the 5.25-mile race and one-mile fun run. Complete results from all the age divisions of the Riverfest Run will appear in Sunday's Southeast Missourian.