Jacob Green edges Jeremy Fopma in thrilling Fifth Season 8K finish

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jacob Green of Cedar Rapids wanted to ease into his first competition since the state cross country meet his senior year at Kennedy, then he went shopping on Thursday for new shoes.

That’s when he was asked if he realized he was most likely the favorite for Sunday’s Fifth Season 8K that started and finished at Green Square Park.

“You shouldn’t have told me that,” Green told the salesman. “I’m going to be stressing about that a little bit.”

Three stress fractures in his foot last year prevented the soon-to-be sophomore from racing during his freshman year at Wartburg.

Although he couldn’t train in traditional ways, the 19-year-old was committed to building strength and endurance with Cross Fit and water-based workouts.

That came in handy Sunday when he battled Marion alum and two-time defending National Christian College Athletic Association champion Jeremy Fopma, who runs for Maranatha Baptist University in Wisconsin.

After both runners paced out the first half of the race, the mental back-and-forth began.

“Over the last mile-and-a half I started throwing in some surges to get some of the kick out of their legs so I knew what they had at the end,” Green said. “Coming down the homestretch with about 800 meters left, I let (Fopma) take (the lead) for 200-300 meters. Once we hit Seventh Street, I really started to turn it on and I knew I had a chance to catch him.”

Fopma has been running around 30 miles a week, although he wants to get back to 60-70.

“I was just trying to get in, relax and see what happens,” Fopma said. “If there was a chance at the end I would go for it, otherwise I was content just seeing where we are for the halfway point of summer training.”

That’s when Fopma started pushing back.

“Jacob had done some surges to see where we all were at,” Fopma said. “I felt pretty comfortable. I knew he knew where I was.”

As the two approached the finish line, the crowd began to realize a photo finish may be unfolding in front of their eyes.

“At that point I’m at a full-blown sprint,” Green said. “I’m moving as fast as I can and my legs are getting heavy. I’m just trying to get to the finish line as fast as I can.”

Fopma knew something special was happening and was on board with giving the crowd a show.

“With a quarter mile to go we were booking it,” Fopma said. “It makes it a lot of fun and is kind of why you race. Racing hard with someone beside you and running because you love running and competing.”

The pair approached the line with Green nipping at Fopma’s heels.

“I knew about 10 strides before (the finish) I could get him, because he was tightening up,” said Green after the runners shared a congratulatory hug for the fantastic finish they created together.

As Green took off for a celebratory cool down, Fopma was content with the finish.

“I’m still happy with it because I love to race and compete and both of us know that this is a Fourth of July race,” Fopma said. “It shows us where we’re at for the summer season, so I’m not disappointed at all.”

Officially, both runners crossed with times of 26:06 and Green winning by a lunge over Fopma. Daniel Baker was third overall for the men in 26:23. Elaina Biechler of Dubuque took the women’s crown in 30:40, while Gabby Skopec of Coralville (31:08) was second overall and Melanie Hamilt of Iowa City was third in 32:01.