Bill Briggs, 88, reaches goal to complete 600 races

A journey which began on an unseasonably warm and humid fall day at the Chicago Marathon in October 1979 marked the achievement Saturday morning of a lofty goal for Bill Briggs: To run 600 road races.

For the 22-year Savannah resident and legend in the local running community, who will turn 89 on St. Patrick’s Day 2019, the Tunnel to Towers Savannah 5K was the perfect venue. The seventh annual race, which started and finished in Orleans Square, was even hotter and more humid than Bill’s inaugural race nearly 40 years ago.

To celebrate his milestone, a euphoric Briggs crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 2 minutes, 48 seconds. Mission accomplished.

“I had no idea what I was getting into when I started running in June 1979," Briggs said Saturday. "I had recently retired as a meteorologist with the U.S. Weather Service and needed to regain control and structure to my life. One of my two adopted children was having substance abuse issues. Running helped me immensely.

“Although I was significantly undertrained for the marathon, I finished in 5 hours and 30 minutes.”

After 600 races, Briggs has the running and racing routine down pat.

“I dutifully record each and every race in my running log as soon as possible," he said. "That way, I don’t lose track. I don’t have another race goal set. I just want to enjoy life.”

Bill’s close friend, former mathematics teacher Michael Littlefield, provides oversight and frequent transportation for a bi-weekly running group, appropriately named “Team Briggs.”

“I never imagined that our friendship would grow and become as meaningful as it has," Littlefield said. "I look forward to racing with Bill/Team Briggs at many more events. My favorite 'Briggism' is 'Embrace the struggle.' ”

Briggs continues to do just that in addition to setting an excellent example for those born in 1930 and others. He placed third in the men's 80-98 age division for the second consecutive Tunnel to Towers event, as last year’s race was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma.

Saturday's race, which had 1,460 finishers, was won by Savannah College of Art and Design freshman Bernhard Obrecht in 15:40. The 20-year-old ran alongside SCAD coach and national elite runner Patrick Reagan (15:45). Jerry Shen, 17, was third (15:58).

SCAD sophomore Lemi Wytz, 19, like Obrecht from Vienna, Austria, won the female overall title in 18:28. Meghan Duffy, 28, was second (18:39), and SCAD sophomore Hannah Sharp, 22, was third (19:43).

The female masters top three were Libby Le Tourneau, 46 (21:23); Dawn Greathouse, 42 (22:52); and Lisa Carter (57), 23:39. The male masters top three were Joel Moriarty, 40 (19:28); Matthew Owenby, 49 (19:36); and Andy Tedesco, 62 (19:37).