Easily the coldest day in the history of the Andrew Jackson Marathon failed to deter 330 runners from taking part in the 46th event, Saturday.

Jason Long, a resident of Readyville, Tennessee, covered the 26.2 mile marathon course – which started and ended at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market in 2:59:04 , and Mark Temme, 48, from Memphis won the 13.1 Half-Marathon in 1:23:52.

The Andrew Jackson Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Sarah Fickley, from Johnson City won the women’s marathon in 3:28:37.

Jackson’s Amy Wren (1:41:03) won the women’s Half-Marathon, and Kelly Nye (1:53:08) won the women’s masters division.

“It was a really hilly course, cold and windy, but we’re all out here raising money for a good cause … the prevention of child abuse,” Long said “I wasn’t really comfortable … I started feeling a little tired around mile 12 and everyong else fell off around mile 16 (and) that gave me motivation to keep going … but I didn’t want to take anything for granted.”

Long said the marathon win was the first race of any distance he has ever won.

Jackson’s Shayne Fawcett (3:05:52) placed second overall in the marathon.

Matt Joiner from Milan was the male masters winner (1:32:22) in the Half-Marathon and Karl Studtmann (1:32:28) won the male grand masters division.

Huntingdon’s Jimmy Crossett (1:42:51) captured the male senior grand masters division.

“It was brutally cold … it’s April,” Karl Studtmann said. “It was 31 degrees, 19 degrees wind chill – crazy out there. It was fun running with the other runners, and the volunteers were amazing. Danny Crossett did a fantastic job as race director. (Race) should continue to grow – such a good venue, such a good race.”

(PHOTO: Jason Long, overall winner of the Andrew Jackson Marathon)
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