Ruck Runs to Course Record in Red, White & Blue Shoes 5K

Kimberly Ruck

ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Kimberly Ruck began the national holiday with a quick trip around the 5-kilometer course on the beautiful Furman University campus to win the  women's title in the 7th annual Red, White and Blue Shoes road race. Her time of 16:29 shattered the previous record of 16:58, set by Asheville's Kate Schwartz in 2016. Ruck's time is the fastest women's road 5K time for 2017 in South Carolina. Pending a review of course certification it could be considered as a new South Carolina State Record.

The men's winner was local standout and Clemson athlete James Quattlebaum with a fine time of 14:35. The event attracted 1331 entries and had 1253 finishers. 

ASICS GTC-ELITE's Alison Parris traveled to Kernersville, NC for the holiday and completed in the 22nd annual Rotary Club of Kernersville's 4th of July 5K race. Parris placed 5th among a quality field of women runners with a time of 17:23 and earned $100 for her efforts.  

GTC-ELITE was established in 2012 and produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles. The post-collegiate, Olympic development program is sponsored by ASICS, the 45-year-old Greenville Track Club, Greenville Health System, ScanSource, Joy Real Estate, the Bare Minimum Track Club,  generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Soleus Running Watches, Boston Bill Sunglasses, Roll Recovery, FinalSurge, The ATI Running Academy, ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots and Cocoa Elite recovery products. ​

---