By By Matthew Nascone
If the past two years were any indication, Alan Ash was destined to win the Spring Fever Chase in 2008.
Ash came in third two years ago, second last year and busted through the tape March 15 for his first ever title.
The field was 3,000 strong for the 10K and two-mile fun run last weekend in Fairhope, but Ash brought the title back to Atmore, running a time of 36:47. The win was something Ash, a junior at Escambia Academy, had been striving for since last year.
The 10K is 6.2 miles long and Ash said he usually jumps out to a quick lead, but he mixed it up this year.
Ash said the win might not have been possible without a little push.
The Spring Fever is not like many other races that take the runners through a city or town, this race winds through foothills and other difficult structures.
Judging by the times of the second and third place runners, Ash never had to worry about his lead. Frank Malone came in second at 37:21 and Michael James was third at 38:18.
Running in the Spring Fever Chase is a family affair for the Ashes. Ash’s parents, Alan and Dale both have run in the race since before Alan was born.
Lambert is the boys’ cross country coach at EA and he has watched Ash at the Spring Fever for the past two years.
Lambert said going to watch Ash outside of EA activities is something he feels compelled to do.
Ash is very active at the Academy. He was the AISA cross country individual state champion this year and is a member of the varsity basketball team, the weightlifting team and a member of the varsity track and field team. Inside the classroom, he is a member of the EA Scholars Bowl team, the EA math team and an active member of the Student Government Association.
He served as a legislative page for Alabama Rep. Alan Baker, was selected to the Southern Pine Leadership group, served as liaison between his Youth Leadership Atmore class and the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce and is active in Atmore Young Life and Campaigners.
He is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Atmore, where he participates in Powerhouse. He was also selected as the student most likely to succeed by his classmates at EA.