Boca woman conquers 5K female field in record race

Boca Grande resident Staci McMillan breezed to victory in the 11th annual Boca Grande 5K Fun Run Sunday over all women while Charley Elsey of North Port came in first overall.

McMillan finished second to Elsey by roughly two minutes.

Race day dawned breezy and cool with temps at 63 degrees on the 3.12-mile island race course. Heavy banks of gray clouds scudded across the south Gasparilla Island sky as race starter Joe Wier unleashed a horn blast signaling the start of the race.

Article Photos

Staci McMillan of Boca Grande flies over the finish line.

Staci McMillan of Boca Grande won the woman’s overall crown Sunday in the 11th annual Boca Grande 5K Fun Run and finished second overall.

Nat Italiano of Boca Grande finished as one of the top runners.

Charley Elsey of North Port, the 2012 Boca Grande 5K Fun Run overall champion, with his sons, Cooper, 8, left, and Teage, 7.

Charley Elsey of North Port won the 11th annual Boca Grande 5K Fun Run.

A record field of 325 runners registered although the exact number will be verified post-race by Zoomers Race Club. Look for a complete listing of results and times of all Boca Grande runners in this week's Gasparilla Gazette Thursday and Monday online at bocagrandetalk.com.