Defending champ Imperato was also a record setting runner at GSHS
Defending champ Imperato was also a record setting runner at GSHS
By Fran Thompson
Benjamin Imperato, the defending Making Waves 5K male champion, said he will make the drive from Mobile to defend his title on March 6.
A freshman majoring in psychology at South Alabama, Benjamin has been spending more time studying than running the streets of Midtown, but he wants to support local schools, as he has a little sister im middle school, which is when he started running competitively.
Also a wrestler for two years and a competitive swimmer at GSHS, Benjamin (pictured right) advanced to the state championships in both track and cross country during all four years he competed in high school.
In fact, he started competing for the GSHS cross country team while still in middle school, and that experience was integral in leading to a high school running career that would see him break and extend at least four school records, including the 800 and 1600 meter runs.
And he did it while maintaining a 3.2 GPA.
Three years his senior, Bryce Furhmann was the top runner and captain of the Dolphin cross country team that Benjamin joined as an eighth grader, and he credits Furhmann for inspiring him to put in the necessary work to improve. He made Benjamin realize that training hard paid off in ribbons.
“I was constantly pushing myself to keep up with Bryce,’’ Benjamin said about the friend that preceeded him as captain of the school’s track and cross country teams.
Benjamin’s first indication that he might have the talent to break school records came during that 8th grade year when he traveled to Disneyworld for an event with the GSHS cross country team. Too young to compete in the varsity division, Benjamin entered the two mile race and won going away.
Late to the starting line, he started in the back and just continued to pass runners until he was not just in front, but way ahead of the field.
“I thought there would be runners outpacing me by a longshot. I got there a little late and started towards the back. But I just did what I did and before I knew it I was ahead of the pack and gaining distance on everyone else,’’ he said. “People (watching) were asking me ‘where’s everybody else’ and I would just point behind me.’’
Benjamin said the first time he remembers running was with his dad, Greg Imperato, when he was five years old. And he specifically remembers turning in a good time while running a 5K at The Wharf.
“My dad was excited about my time. He told me that running was something that I could be good at. I think I was just an average runner until then,’’ he said. “My mom (Ashley) was also very supportive. She was there cheering me on at every race.’’
As Benjamin got faster, his dad started peddling a bicycle in front of him during his runs, keeping him company while setting his training pace. His mom would also make him run miles rather than ground him for typical kid transgressions.
Although he received his share of accolades and awards for his speed on the track and trails of Baldwin County, Benjamin said just running and bicycling and being around nature on the beautiful island he grew up on is probably his best memory.
“I loved growing up there, with all the back country trails they have and all the beautiful areas to explore and going biking and finding new stuff. Those were good times,’’ he said.
“My time last year was not a PR. I looked at it more or less as a fun run, a hard workout,’’ he added. “There was not a whole lot of competition. I am trying to pick up my running pace and run more often. But something comes up. I plan to come back this year just because it is a fundraiser for the school. But I don’t think I will win.’’
As he said, Benjamin is not putting any pressure on himself to repeat, as his focus point is more about academics than athletics.
But there can only be one first ever in any event. And for the Dolphin Dash, the first ever winner is Pleasure Island’s own Benjamin Imperato.