Jessica Forrester was the women’s winner in the downtown St. Petersburg race.

ST. PETERSBURG — Fleet Jon Mott, a Northeast High graduate who lives in Lake Wales, won the Kettle Krush 5K in 16 minutes, 45.8 seconds this morning (Jan. 9). He was 23 seconds ahead of second-place finisher John Robida of Clearwater. Jessica Forrester was the women’s winner in 17:57.3, more than a minute ahead of Kelsey Bohannon of Tampa. Forrester was fifth overall in a field of 198.

The race, which started and ended at Albert Whitted Park, benefited the Salvation Army. The Mike Alstott Family Foundation and Kennedy Law Racing supported the event, whose proceeds will help needy families. Mike Alstott,  among the most popular players in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history, ran the race.  He finished in 25:56.7.

“I just wanted to get something in before the trials. I didn’t treat the race in any special way, said Mott, 28, who will race in the Olympic Trials Marathon next month. ”

“The trials prep is starting to come around. I’m having a really good week this week, so I’m starting to feel confident. I’ll be going into the race with loose goals. Course conditions won’t be bad, but they won’t be perfect either. I think having a conservative approach will allow me to have the most success,” Mott said.

One of Alstott’s signed football jerseys was raffled,  and the winner was Chris Stansell, who, in a touch of irony, interested Mott in running during their high school days.

(The information for this article was provided by John Gregg, a Tampa Bay Reporter correspondent.)

St. Petersburg | Events | Runs | TB Reporter

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