GWTC Female Runner of the Year Award – Katie Sherron
Written by Mary Jean Yon
In naming its Runners of the Year, Gulf Winds Track Club seeks to honor those who, besides achieving outstanding times in the past year at various distances in local, regional, and national events, have served as models in their competitive spirit, their continuing devotion to the sport, and their support and encouragement of their fellow runners, both individually and as members of Gulf Winds.
Female Runner of the Year – Katie Sherron
It is not unheard of for a talented runner to be named GWTC’s Runner of the Year more than once. Sometimes people are just that good. Here are some examples of that kind of talent and the years they were named GWTC Female Runner of the Year: Janice Gage Hochstein (1978 & 1986), Mae Cleveland (1980 & 1998), and Jane Johnson (1995 & 2003).
As we look back over 2022, another runner emerges as worthy of this title for a second time. Katie (Showman) Sherron was originally awarded this title in 2012. Since that time, she has married, had two beautiful children, and set the Tallahassee and GWTC running world ablaze competing for the first time as a masters runner.
Katie turned 40 in October of 2021 and celebrated by going out and winning the USATF Club Cross Country Championship Women’s Master’s 6K (in a time of 22:08) at Apalachee Regional Park on December 11, 2021. We know this award is not based on what happened in 2021 so let’s review Katie’s racing successes in 2022.
Looking at the Results page on the GWTC website, it can easily be said that if Katie showed up to run a race, Katie won the race. Her overall finishes are equally impressive and in one case (Sickle Cell 5K) she beat everybody, no matter their gender.
Here’s a look at what races Katie won in Tallahassee during 2022 and where she placed in the overall field. It’s hard to know whether she inspired her male competitors or left them demoralized as there was no catching her most of the time:
GWTC 30K – Won in a time of 2:05:54 – 4th Overall
The Trent 10K – Won in a time of 38:55 – 4th Overall
MAD 5K – Won in a time of 18:38 – 2nd Overall
Springtime 10K – Won in a time of 37:01 – 7th Overall
Palace Saloon 5K – Won in a time of17:39 – 7th Overall
Tails & Trails Half-Marathon – Won in a time of 1:33;36 – 6th Overall
Paul Hoover Freedom Run 5K – Won in a time of 18:35 – 4th Overall
Breakfast on the Track Mile – Won in a time of 5:06 – 7th Overall
Miller Landing Madness 8K – Won in a time of 30:51 – 8th Overall
Sickle Cell 5K – Won the entire race in a time of 17:27 – 1ST Male was 27 seconds back
Women’s Distance Festival – Won the race in a time of 19:47 – 5th Overall with males
Pine Run 20K – Won in a time of 1:24:45 – 8th Overall
Katie’s enthusiasm for running and racing is contagious and there is no doubt that she inspires many a female runner to strive for their best performance. Some of Katie’s 2022 times were comparable and perhaps even better than what she ran in her collegiate days. She is truly deserving of the honor of GWTC Runner of the Year for 2022!
This award is not just for the fastest, but for those who have served as models for all of us by their competitive spirit, their continuing devotion to the sport, and their support and encouragement of their fellow runners, both individually and as members of Gulf Winds.
That fits our 2022 Female Runner of the Year, Katie Sherron. She is truly deserving of the honor of GWTC Runner of the Year for 2022!