Training, dedication propel runner

Paul Lancaster was determined to win the Broad Street Ramble last weekend in Augusta, even if it meant leaving a friend behind.

The 27-year-old from Evans was running alongside fellow Augusta Striders member Chad Hales during the 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) race Saturday. Lancaster and Hales paced each other early on, but at the 4-mile mark, Lancaster surged ahead to stay.

''You train to win,'' Lancaster says. He pulled away down the stretch and posted a time of 33:14 to edge Hales by 11 seconds.

Discipline and self-motivation are a way of life for Lancaster. He is in the Army, specializing in communications. He also holds down a night job, but still finds time to run up to 80 miles a week.

''You have to push yourself until you can't push yourself anymore,'' he said prior to a workout last week at the Lakeside High School track. ''It's hard to train when you work two jobs, but I still run twice a day, even if it means getting up at 4 a.m. or going out at 9:30 at night.''

Lancaster, who is coach and captain of the Fort Gordon running team, currently is training for the Army 10-miler, which will be held Oct. 14 in Washington, D.C. He also is looking forward to the Rocket City Marathon on Dec. 8 in Huntsville, Ala.

''That will be my first marathon. That's going to be a big test. Just to think about running 26.2 miles is insane,'' Lancaster said. ''You have such a big build up for one race. If conditions aren't right or if you have a bad day all that training is down the drain.''

Lancaster competes in about 15 running events a year. In addition to his win at the Broad Street Ramble, he finished first in the Aiken Triple Crown and the Whiskey Road Race in 2001.

The Broad Street Ramble also featured shorter races for young runners.

In the one-mile kids run, Brookwood Elementary School fifth-grader Kelsey Davis was the top female finisher. Kelsey, 10, posted a time of 7:30 to win the 16 and under age division.

Broad Street Ramble

Columbia County winners in the 10K road race

Overall male winner: Paul Lancaster (33:14). Men 18-24: Aaron Baker (36:08). Men 40-44: Dave Crowley (37:53). Women's Masters: Cheryl Cheek (45:01). Women 13-17: Jessica Zinskie (46:28). Women 50-54: Donna Schwanberger (56:45). Women 60-64: Nell Newman (1:08.48).