OKC MEMORIAL MARATHON JOURNAL Caddo's McMichael wins half marathon
Throwing a baby shower and winning a half marathon
Former Edmond North cross country and track star Jaci Smith returned home to throw a baby shower and at the last minute decided to enter the half marathon on Sunday.
"I am really, really glad I did," Smith said.
Smith was the top women's finisher in the half marathon with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes and 41 seconds. She almost skipped the race.
"It was my sister's baby shower this weekend so I helped with that," Smith said. "I came in town specifically for the baby shower. I do my longer training runs on Sundays anyway, so I thought, why not?"
Smith, 24, joined the Air Force after high school and ran professionally for two years as part of the Air Force's World Class Athlete program.
Now stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Smith is still running and her sights are set on the 2024 Olympic Trials.
"I hope I can make a go in the next couple of Olympic cycles," she said.
North Carolina woman's brave battle against ALS
Andrea Lytle Peet of Raleigh, North Carolina had completed nine triathlons, one marathon and a half marathon. Then she was diagnosed in 2014 with ALS at the age of 33.
Only 20% of patients diagnosed with the incurable disease live for five years. Peet has beaten on odds, and on Sunday she was in Oklahoma City riding her recumbent trike in the Memorial Marathon.
Peet has a goal of participating in marathons in all 50 states. Oklahoma was her 43rd state and 17th marathon this year. Alaska will be her 50th state in May.
Along the way, Peet is fund raising for ALS research. So far, she has raised $750,000 through the Team Drea Foundation. A documentary is being made about Peet and her quest.
“There's something unforgettable about crossing the finish line of a race you weren't at all sure you could do," Peet has said. "I want that feeling as many times as I can get it – and through my journey I hope to encourage as many people as possible to appreciate what their bodies can do.”
Peet was impressed with the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.
"It was amazing," Peet said. "It clearly is a community event. Everyone is so proud of the city."
For more information, visit teamdrea.org.
Caddo native Chase McMichael, 32, was the fastest man in the half marathon.
McMichael, who now lives in Whitesboro, Texas, finished in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 41 seconds — more than 3 1/2 minutes faster than second place.
It was McMichael's personal best. “It feels good to come home and run on the home soil,” he said.
McMichael gave a shout out to his high school coach at Caddo, Don Tidwell.
“He showed me that passion,” McMichael said, “showed me what running could give me.”
Ed Godfrey and Joe Mussatto, Staff writers