By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer

P.J. Ball wasn't even expecting to run the Humana Heart Mini-Marathon until Sunday morning. And she certainly wasn't expecting to win.

John Sence steps over discarded paper cups on his return trip along Columbia Parkway to the finish. (Michael E. Keating photo) Race photo gallery

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Ball surprised even herself, surging ahead of the two other top women in the final quarter of the race to win the women's 15K title in 1:00:05.

The University of Cincinnati graduate student and former Bearcats long-distance runner is training for the Flying Pig Marathon and ran 20 miles Saturday, but a friend convinced her to enter the race anyway.

"I don't ever win any of these local races," Ball said. "It was really good, I don't know. I just registered this morning, I didn't even think I was going to run. I'm glad I did.

"... I think some days, by the grace of God you just feel good, and today I did."

Ball, 25, ran without a challenge from four-time champion Jill Tranter, who attended the events but did not participate in the 15K because she is pregnant.

Ball's competition instead was 33-year-old Tanya Thatcher and 34-year-old Shannon Moon. Thatcher led for much of the way, battling with Moon mid-race.

"We were kind of switching back and forth," Moon said. "She'd move ahead for a while, and then I'd move ahead on her. I don't know who the other girl was, but she came from behind."

Moon said she also struggled with the heat, with temperatures in the mid-70s.

"It was really hot out there today," Moon said. "I had more clothes on when I started and was throwing them as I went. I just couldn't stay hydrated."

Ball said she made her move at mile eight, and she was able to hold off Moon for the finish.

She ended averaging 6:28 a mile.

Moon took second in 1:00:29. Thatcher was third in 1:00:40.

"At mile eight I was like, what's going on here?" Ball said. "(At the end), I was totally dying. I thought I was going to need to walk. And then I'm like, 'You can't walk!' ... Some days, you're just lucky, I guess.

"This is the only big race I've ever won, really."

Ball ran in the Mini-Marathon two previous times, placing fifth in 2002. Moon, who is training for the Marine Corps Marathon in the fall, had also run it twice before, taking eighth in 2002.

Tranter had won the last four races by an average margin of more than two minutes.

"It's my only opportunity, when Jill's pregnant," Moon said laughing.

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E-mail ckane@enquirer.com