(Photo courtesy of Christa Benton who recently competed in the Boston Marathon)
Christa Benton competed in the Foot Locker South Regional three times while in high school at Keswick Christian and was the first Floridian to win an individual title when she accomplished that feat in 2000. The trip marked Benton's second consecutive year attending Foot Locker Nationals. We caught up with her to talk about those memories and what she's been up to the last fifteen years.
Flrunners.com: What do you remember most about your times running Foot Locker South?
Christa Benton: The Foot Locker XC Championships were such a tremendous memory for me. I competed in Foot Locker South three times, my sophomore, junior, and senior years from 1998-2000. My first year I missed the cutoff by just a few places to finishing in the top eight. My junior year I had a solid place finish and think I was 6th. My senior year was by far my most memorable. I surprisingly led from the first turn and won the race. The weather that day was very cold and rainy and I was a bit out of my element as a Florida girl, but I didn't think about it and just ran my own race.
FLR: As someone who has competed three times and are familiar with the meet, what advice would you give to Florida runners on Saturday?
CB: My advice would be for Florida runners to go out, have fun, and try not to get caught up in what all the other racers are doing. Just trust that you know how to run your race and do the best you can. For me it always helped to pray if I was nervous. I knew I had the support of my family, my coach, my team, my friends, and I knew God would help me do my best. This is an end season race so it's okay to go out hard and hang on. Or Just do what works best for you usually. Remember to have fun out there too!
FLR: How did this meet help propel your running career after high school?
CB: This meet is what helped me become a two time national xc qualifier and an All-American in HS. It helped prepare me to be ready to run competitively in college. I ended up competing for University of South Florida and earned All-American status in XC again while I was there.
Looking back, it is hard to believe 15 years has passed since I broke the tape at the Footlocker South Regional my senior year.
FLR: What are you up to these days?
CB: I have stayed running and competing this whole time. I even married a runner I met at USF and we compete at many local races and a few more competitive ones. I have completed 11 marathons with a best time of 2:48 at Boston a few years back good for a top 25 American finish. Most recently, I have enjoyed running after our little 2 year old son who is already pretty fast. We are so thankful and blessed to have him. I am thankful to God for my amazing experiences in High school that helped prepared me for such wonderful memories later in life that I hold so dear. Good luck to all you Florida racers this weekend! Godspeed.
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Flrunners.com: What do you remember most about your times running Foot Locker South?