HATS OFF TO Gov. Mark Sanford, who finished third in his age group (40-44) at the Governor’s Cup Road Race 8K on Saturday.

Sanford ran a time of 34 minutes, 27 seconds to take 22nd overall out of 333 finishers.

By running, in addition to his recent cross-state bicycle rides, he is a needed role model for fitness.

All road races have inspiring comeback stories, but Salem’s Marge Hoffman’s is near miraculous.

On Nov. 22, 2003, as she neared the finish line at Turbeville’s half-marathon, a car struck Hoffman from behind with such force that her body shattered the windshield. She had a concussion, multiple facial fractures and other injuries. She spent three days in the intensive-care unit..

On Saturday she set a pending state age-group record for women ages 75-79 by finishing the Governor’s Cup 8K in 49:47.

Columbian Eric Ashton, 36, dominated the 400 finishers in the half-marathon, winning in 1:12:45. Lexington’s Paul Laymon, 42, and Charleston’s David Quick, 40, battled for second, with Laymon edging Quick by three seconds (1:22:32 to 1:22:35).

The female masters division had a similar battle, with Columbian Lisa Powell, 42, winning in 1:36:34. Columbian Mary Howk and Irmo’s Becky Sox, both 52, raced for second, with Howk holding the edge, 1:39:52 to 1:40:35.

Columbian Daniel Hughes maintains a 5-minute-per-mile pace and wins about every race he enters. The Governor’s Cup 8K was no different, as Hughes crossed the finish line in 24:59. Dian Berry from Lexington, 30, was 17th overall and the first female finisher, in 33:37. Pelion High School coach Mark Bedenbaugh, 41, was the first masters finisher, fourth overall, in 29:09.

Ironman Triathlon. Columbian Bill Linder, 70, was excited to leave the 2.4-mile ocean swim at the Kona, Hawaii, Ironman World Championship Triathlon in fourth place in his age group. Unfortunately, the infamous winds did him in on the 112-mile bike leg, and he did not make the cut-off to run the marathon leg.

The good news is that by not running the marathon leg, he will be in top form to try to qualify for the 2005 Hawaii Ironman, at a Nov. 6 Ironman distance triathlon in Panama City, Fla.

Race results. Jeff Campbell of Arden, N.C., won the inaugural Mauldin Fall Classic 12K on Saturday in 39:30. Greenville’s Tara Carter, 32, was the first female finisher, in 55:41. ... Garthedon Embler, 74, was the eldest of the 19 cancer survivors who ran with 728 runners in Charleston’s Race for the Cure 5K on Saturday. Tom Mather, 46, of Mount Pleasant, 46, won in 16:01. Charleston’s Anne Wyman-Cipolla, 29 was the first female finisher, in 18:07.

UPCOMING

Saturday

GREENVILLE 8 a.m., Greenville Half-Marathon and 8K, (843) 379-3440, bfs@hargray.com.

ROCK HILL 9 a.m., 27th annual Great Pumpkin 5K, (803) 329-6913.

BLUFFTON 8 a.m., Goblin Gallop 5K, (843) 815-5267.

MYRTLE BEACH 7:30 a.m., Myrtle Beach Halloween Half-Marathon, (843) 267-4348, register Online at http://www.strictlyrunning.com/.

PAWLEYS ISLAND 8:30 a.m., Turtle Strut 5K and 10K, (843) 237-1698.

Sunday

BLUFFTON 6:30 a.m., Low Country Classic Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10K, (843) 815-5267.

Nov. 6

JAMES ISLAND 8 a.m., sixth annual James Island Connector 10K, (843) 853-9987.

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CODE: GPT — Grand Prix Tour; TDC — Tour de Columbia