Large turnout for inaugural Smoak 5k

More than 200 runners turned out for a good cause Saturday in the inaugural Mason G. Smoak Foundation 5k at Devane Park.

"The turnout here is just a picture of what he was," said Tracee Smoak, the widow of Mason Smoak, who died in a tragic plane crash in June 2008.

In ideal conditions for an early-morning jaunt, 27-year-old Tim Topa, who will compete in this weekend's Chicago Marathon, finished in 16 minutes, 56 seconds to claim the overall male title. Jenny Black came in at 21:16, trimming 40 seconds off her personal-best time and finishing as the overall female winner.

"I changed my training plan and apparently it's working," she said, laughing.

Mike Martino, who also finished first in last week's Sebring Chamber of Commerce 5k, won the male master title with a time of 20:10. Jane Greene, 49, was the female master winner at 23:45.

"I wanted to take it nice and steady," said Topa, bear-chested with sunglasses and a bandana. "I'm trying to get myself ready for Chicago. I'm excited to see how I measure up and how far I have to go."

The Chicago Marathon, which some claim is more prestigious than the race in Boston because it is a televised, worldwide competition, will draw a world-class field and Topa said he is "just excited to get out there and enjoy the experience."

"I never thought in my lifetime that by car I'd be going past Soldier Field and Comiskey Park, and I never thought in my wildest dreams that I'd be doing it on foot," he said. "It's kind of a thrill for me."

Topa ran in Saturday's 5k as part of his preparation, but also to celebrate the life of Smoak.

"I wanted to get out there and support and celebrate life because you never know," Topa said. "You can never take things for granted and you've got to help each other out in the long run. You're only here for a short time and we need to help each other out and make the best of it."

Black, the Lakeland resident who is training for a triathlon in Cypress Gardens, personally knew Mason and "thought I'd come down and enjoy some fellowship with our friends and celebrate his life."

Said Tracee Smoak: "I truly felt that God blessed him with a personality and a spunk about him that touched so many people. ... Our community has just enveloped us the past year. It's amazing to see the turnout like this, to have a community event and to have a good spirit and a good feeling and to be able to give back to the community is just awesome."