The Melbourne Causeway became a cacophony of sound and color as more than 1,400 participants
of all ages walked, jogged and raced over its rising terrain on
the out-and-back Melbourne Arts Fest 5K course.
As many athletes began the ascent up “Mount Melbourne”, 21-
year-old Christian Minor was already crossing the finish line in
15:46. It was the third time in as many years that the Florida
State track and cross country runner and Rockledge resident
won the event.
Melbourne’s Chris Rego, 19, who placed third last year, took 37
seconds off of last year’s time to place second in 16:19. Andrew
Bautel, 25, who is also from Melbourne and a former Florida
State runner was third in 16:28. West Melbourne’s Mike Wasson,
42, grabbed Master’s (40+) with his fourth overall finish in 16:37
Adding credence to the lore of Florida State’s running ferocity
was another Seminole running star, Jessica Crate, 22, of Viera,
who took the ladies in 17:46 and fourteenth overall. Palm Bay’s
Tracy Smith, 35, was second in 19:44 followed for third by Karen
Minor, the overall winner’s mother, in 20:19. Sue O’Malley, 47,
from Port Orange took Master’s in 20:35.