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Palmer breezes to second straight men's title Former Crater, SOU standout sets personal best time Comment By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 11, 2015 at 6:45 PM By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 11, 2015 at 6:45 PM --> MEN RECAP: Medford’s Trevor Palmer pulls away at the 3-mile mark for a comfortable victory. It’s his second straight title, making him the fifth man to claim back-... » Read more X MEN RECAP : Medford’s Trevor Palmer pulls away at the 3-mile mark for a comfortable victory. It’s his second straight title, making him the fifth man to claim back-to-back titles in the 39 years of the run. TOP 10 1. Trevor Palmer, 52:02 2. Justin Gindlesperger, 53:49 3. Brett Hornig, 53:54 4. Orin Schumacher,54:18 5. Chris Platano, 54:27 6. Kirby Garlitz, 55:29 7. Orestes Gutierrez, 56:04 8. Frans Alajoki, 56:37 9. Aaron Beddes, 56:54 10. Jon Buel, 57:45 » Social News The expected battle to the finish didn't materialize, and that was fine with Trevor Palmer. The men's defending champion in the Pear Blossom Run 10-mile race expected a challenge from 2013 winner David Laney Saturday in the event that starts and ends in front of Medford City Hall. Laney was a no-show, victimized by a nagging ankle ailment, and Palmer eased his way to victory over Justin Gindlesperger. It was the same 1-2 finish as a year ago. Palmer, of Medford, won in a personal-best 52 minutes, 2 seconds. Grants Pass' Gindlesperger was well back in 53:49 in the 39th edition of the Pear, which started in 48 degrees and the slightest of sprinkles. "I thought it was going to be a battle coming almost down to the last corner," said Palmer, 31, a former Crater High and Southern Oregon University runner. "It was a nice feeling. You feel a lot more comfortable when you're out there and somebody's not right next to you. You can pull them along sometimes. "I was surprised not to see Laney out there." Laney planned to enter the race following a training run Thursday. But the ankle, which he originally injured in a recent 100-kilometer trail race in Portland, acted up and he elected that evening not to push it. Ashland's Brett Hornig, another former SOU distance ace, was third in 53:54, followed by Eugene's Orin Schumacker (54:18) and Portland's Chris Platano (54:27). Palmer's time was more than a minute faster than last year's 53:10, and it bettered his previous best of 52:16, which he clocked while finishing third in 2009. He became the fifth man to win back-to-back titles. Palmer was slowed by an Achilles' tendon injury last year and almost didn't enter. No such issues this time. "It was much better," he said of running while healthy. "I was race ready. Last year, I was not quite just off the couch, but I wasn't very fit. Right away, you were kind of in the hurt." He was in such a comfort zone this year that he took stock of three competitors running alongside him — Gindlesperger, Hornig and Schumacher — at about 3 miles and decided to make a move. "We were going a little slower than I wanted to, so I picked it up from there," said Palmer. "I could hear their breathing at 3 miles, and I knew I was feeling better than they were." Gindlesperger couldn't disagree. "Trevor was strong this year, even from the start," he said. "He was just clicking off the miles. I don't know what his final time was, but through 3 or 4 miles, he was just consistent and strong. I just didn't have it today." Palmer was by himself for the final 7 miles. It was his first race of the year, so there was some trepidation when he "put it all out there," he said. "But at the turnaround, I still felt great, so unless I fell off real big, I knew I had it by then." With a middle-distance background, Palmer said he still hurts when doing long distances. He got through the pain, he said, by "counting footsteps and saying a little mantra." Gindlesperger didn't give up once he knew he wasn't at his best. He ducked in and drafted behind Palmer when he could, hoping the leader "would pull me through until I got my legs back or something, but he just kept going." "Sometimes, especially in longer races, if you don't get a good warmup in or you feel a little sluggish, then your training kind of kicks in, and all of sudden you feel better at 5 miles than you did at the start." Gindlesperger kept an eye on Palmer up ahead and tried to stay within himself in case an opportunity surfaced. It never did. In the wheelchair 10-mile, Corey Hartgrave, of Grants Pass, won for the eighth straight year with a time of 40:26. Medford’s John Paola was second (55:23) and Wilsonville’s Kayla Balnick was third (1:38:41). Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 541-776-4479, or email [email protected] By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 11, 2015 at 6:45 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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