After narrowly missing the 2008 U.S. Olympic marathon trials, Leo Kormanik took a break to concentrate on his studies.
Now in his final year at Life University, a chiropractic school just outside of Atlanta, Kormanik is back in training. The 27-year-old runner now is trying to make a push at qualifying for the 2012 Olympic trials.
"I have a big goal to make it," he said.
Kormanik breezed to the Augusta Half Marathon title Sunday, setting a course record in his first appearance. He crossed the finish line at Augusta Common in 1 hour, nine minutes and 36 seconds, finishing almost nine minutes ahead of his nearest competitor, Jason Dimery, of Lexington, S.C., who clocked in at 1:18:17. George Robertson, of Knoxville, Tenn., finished third at 1:18:38, while Jeff Coverdale, of Grovetown, led the local contingent with a time of 1:20:40.
On a cool Sunday morning, about 800 competitors started the race at 7 a.m. In the pleasant conditions, Kormanik set a torrid mile pace of 5:19 and broke the mark set by last year's champion, Cory Baumann, who posted a time of 1:12:12.
"Today was a good workout," Kormanik said. "It was a good tempo run."
Ale Kennedy was the top female finisher and 20th overall at 1:29:35. The former Augusta resident, who moved three years ago to Statesboro, Ga., won the Augusta Half Marathon for the second time.
"We lived here for so long," said the 38-year-old Kennedy, whose husband, Kevin, is the head men's soccer coach at Georgia Southern. "It's nice to run and see some familiar faces."
Kennedy said the half marathon pace is a bit frenetic compared to a regular marathon. She has two more half marathons scheduled before competing in the Kiawah Marathon in December.
"I like to settle on a pace and get comfortable," she said.
For Kormanik, fast and furious was fine as he continued his U.S. Olympic training with the victory -- he said the win qualifies him for the 2011 Half Marathon Championships in Houston. He is running 12 to 13 miles every day to attempt to qualify for the U.S. trials -- Kormanik will need a time of 1:05:00 or better.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
Back 
