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PEAR BLOSSOM RUN Fleskes claims women's race for first Pear title Medford runner had to overcome a recent bout with the flu Comment By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Follow @@MTsports MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Follow @@MTsports Posted Apr. 9, 2016 at 5:20 PM By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Follow @@MTsports Posted Apr. 9, 2016 at 5:20 PM --> Women’s Race RECAP: After moving to the Rogue Valley a year ago, Carrie Fleskes wins her first title in the 10-mile race, recording a time of 1 hour, 6 minutes, 29 second... » Read more X Women’s Race RECAP : After moving to the Rogue Valley a year ago, Carrie Fleskes wins her first title in the 10-mile race, recording a time of 1 hour, 6 minutes, 29 seconds. She was third in 2015. TOP 10 1. Carrie Fleskes, 1:06:29 2. Molly Schmelzle, 1:07:33 3. Janelle Ralph, 1:07:52 4. Blake Chronister, 1:09:04 5. Sarah Ziegler, 1:09:39 6. Natalie Chirgwin, 1:10:41 7. Tonya Derby, 1:12:53 8. Anne Carter, 1:13:29 9. Suzanne Ray, 1:13:29 10. Ellery Kaiser, 1:13:44 » Social News Opportunity knocked for Carrie Fleskes. Whether she could answer was another question. Fleskes finished third in her first Pear Blossom Run a year ago, and with perennial champion and record holder Marci Klimek Gage unable to compete this year because of a hip injury, the door was open Saturday for a new women's winner in the 10-mile race. "I was a little bit nervous," said Fleskes. "I had the flu about a week ago, so I wasn't sure I was going to run. I did it anyway, and I felt good." So good, in fact, she notched her first victory in the 40th annual Pear, crossing the finish line in front of City Hall more than a minute ahead of runner-up Molly Schmelzle. Gage had won the previous five Pears, setting the course record of 57 minutes, 4 seconds last year. "She's a phenomenal runner," said Fleskes, who lives in Medford. "I actually didn't know if she was running or not. I ran it last year and got third, so it just feels good to come back out here and win." Fleskes' time was 1:06:29, well off her time of 1:03:18 in 2015. "I was a little slower this year, probably because of the flu," she said. "But I felt good." Schmelzle, a recent transplant to Ashland, came in in 1:07:33, just ahead of White City's Janelle Ralph (1:07:52). Blake Chronister of Medford was fourth in 1:09:04, and Sarah Ziegler of Jacksonville was fifth in 1:09:39. Fleskes came to running relatively late compared to other Pear winners. She didn't compete in high school or college, taking it up soon after the latter. Originally from Portland, she moved to the Rogue Valley last year and has been "training locally on some of the hills." Her strategy on Saturday was to stay with a group of men employing a pace that suited her. "I just stayed with some of the guys in a pack," said Fleskes. "I figured if I could hang with them for a while, I'd be OK. I just kind of kept the same pace, and it felt good. It's a fun course, a good course." She vowed to return next year to defend her title. "Definitely," she said. "I love this race. There's a ton of fan support along the way." Schmelzle felt the same way. Another newcomer to the area, she moved here a couple of months ago and was already familiar with the Pear. She played soccer in college at Syracuse in New York and transitioned to running after college. She lived in Arcata, Calif., prior to arriving here. "It's a big regional race, and I know a lot of the strong runners from Humboldt used to come up here to run," said Schmelzle. Her goal was to average about 6:40 to 6:45 per mile, and she did so. "I was very happy with my performance," she said, adding that the atmosphere made it easy to get into the race. "It was fantastic," said Schmelzle. "Everyone was very supportive all the way through, saying 'Good luck,' 'Congratulations.'" People had smiles on their faces and the crowds were fantastic all the way through. I quite enjoyed it. It was really fast. I'm used to trail running, but this was a good road race." Another Ashland runner won the 5-kilometer women’s race. Amelia Bueche triumphed in 19:54, while Medford's Desiree Piter was second in 20:32, and Eagle Point's Kim Ewalt was third in 23:02. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 541-776-4479, or email [email protected] By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Follow @@MTsports MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Follow @@MTsports Posted Apr. 9, 2016 at 5:20 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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