Marathon High School’s girls’ cross country team placed third at the regionals meet today and the boys’ team placed sixth. But for the first time in recent Keys history, a Marathon runner crossed the finish line in first place at the meet held at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek.
“Jonathan Pitchford won the race, he crossed the finish line in first place,” said cross country coach James Murphy. He said the official time won’t be posted until later today, but the time is near the “low 17 minutes” mark.
Murphy said the girls’ team “ran great, it was a great team effort.” He said this is the highest placement for the girls’ squad from Marathon High School in a regionals meet, and the first girls’ trip to the state championships in 10 years.
Marathon fields six male runners and seven female runners who will travel to Tallahassee next weekend for the state championship. Last year, the Dolphins placed in the top 10 teams in the 1A division. Murphy also gave a shout-out to the Key West High School team who will also be attending the state championship representing the 2A schools.
“This is the fifth year in a row that the Marathon High School boys’ team has made it to the state championship level,” said Murphy. “It’s quite an accomplishment.”
