Cody Thompson successfully defended his championship while local running club athletes dominated the podium at Marion County Veterans Park’s historic Independence Day race.
Cody Thompson, a Crystal River High School graduate who competed collegiately for Randolph College and Colby-Sawyer, claimed his second consecutive victory at Iggy’s 4 on the 4th race Friday morning. Thompson completed the 4-mile course in 22:23, slightly slower than his 2024 performance of 21:20 on the same course.
The race showcased the strength of Ocala’s youth running development, with all six podium finishers sharing connections to local training programs and clubs.
Birthday Victory and Dramatic Women’s Finish
Fifteen-year-old Jaylen Blackburn celebrated his birthday with a second-place finish, crossing the line in 22:42. Timothy Brannon rounded out the men’s podium with a time of 23:14.
The women’s race delivered the morning’s most dramatic finish, with Jacksonville University rising junior Josie Leonard edging out a pair of twins in a thrilling conclusion. Leonard, a former soccer player turned distance runner, won in 27:33, beating rising senior Emma Curtis by just two seconds (27:35). Emma’s twin sister Ava finished third in 27:42.
Adam Truesdale led the masters division with a time of 25:23, while Cindy Carver topped the women’s masters field in 29:23.
Ocala Distance Project Dominates Competition
The race results highlighted the remarkable impact of the Ocala Distance Project on local running development. Of the top 10 male finishers, seven have ties to the club, while six of the top 10 female finishers share connections to the organization.
The Ocala Distance Project, a local running club specializing in youth distance running, has established itself as a cornerstone of athletic development in Marion County. The club’s influence extends beyond local competition, having recently sent three athletes to New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Pennsylvania, demonstrating the caliber of training and development provided to area youth runners.
Current race director Darrin DeTorres, who owns Radical Runs and coaches the Ocala Distance Project, previously competed in the race as a Vanguard High School student in the early 2000s. The strong showing at Iggy’s reflects the club’s commitment to developing distance runners from elementary school through high school age, with many alumni continuing to compete at high levels while maintaining their connection to the local running community.
Local Running Community Shows Strong Support
The race drew significant participation from area high schools and running clubs. Vanguard and Belleview High Schools brought multiple runners, while several local running organizations showed strong support including the Ocala Distance Project, Marion County Runs, The Villages Running Club, and the Ocala Women’s Run Club.
Continuing a Racing Legacy
The event honors the memory of Greg “Iggy” Miller, the longtime race director who passed away in 2013. Miller was instrumental in establishing many of Ocala’s current racing events and served as a cornerstone of the local running community.
DeTorres continues the tradition established by Miller, maintaining the race’s community focus while supporting the development of local runners. The race continues to serve as one of Ocala’s oldest annual running events, bringing together multiple generations of local athletes each Independence Day at the Marion County Veterans Park.
Race Results
Men’s Top 10:
- Cody Thompson, 23 – 22:23
- Jaylen Blackburn, 15 – 22:42
- Timothy Brannon, 17 – 23:14
- Jacob Rogers, 16 – 23:32
- Chapman Stewart, 14 – 23:57
- Aidan Bone, 19 – 24:21
- Alex Lammens, 16 – 24:30
- Zach Vickerman, 17 – 24:35
- Kaden Fernandez, 16 – 25:14
- Adam Truesdale, 41 – 25:23
Women’s Top 10:
- Josie Leonard, 20 – 27:33
- Emma Curtis, 17 – 27:35
- Ava Curtis, 17 – 27:42
- Reese Cartwright, 16 – 29:21
- Cindy Carver, 57 – 29:23
- Magda Barcia, 37 – 29:28
- Reese McGovern, 11 – 29:37
- Savannah Risner, 17 – 30:08
- Rylee McGovern, 12 – 31:29
- Livia Lanza, 22 – 32:02
Complete race results are available through RunSignUp at https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/148275#resultSetId-563507;perpage:100.
Community Partnership and Support
The event received support from Friends of the Marion County Veterans Park and local business Calles De Oro Coffee. The race continues to benefit from strong community partnerships that help maintain its status as one of Ocala’s premier Independence Day events.
FAQ
Q: When and where does Iggy’s 4 on the 4th take place? A: The race occurs annually on July 4th at Marion County Veterans Park in Ocala.
Q: How long is the race course? A: The course covers 4 miles through the Veterans Park area.
Q: Who was the race named after? A: The race honors Greg “Iggy” Miller, a longtime race director who passed away in 2013 and was instrumental in Ocala’s running community.
Q: How can I register for next year’s race? A: Registration information is typically available through RunSignUp, with details announced by race director Darrin DeTorres and Radical Runs.
Q: What running clubs participated in this year’s event? A: Participants included members from the Ocala Distance Project, Marion County Runs, The Villages Running Club, and the Ocala Women’s Run Club, along with runners from Vanguard and Belleview High Schools.
