THE LETS RUN organization launched a spectator-friendly running experiment in the Midlands with the state’s first 8K Criterium race on Dec. 8.

The race included an $8,000 prize pot for invited elite runners, who competed separately. The “Criterium” competitors run eight laps of 1 km. each. The runners are in near constant view, and their efforts are nearly touchable.

North Carolina runner Bobby Mack, 27, won $1,500 with his first-place finish in 19:48. Greenville’s Jeff See, 26, won $750 with second place in 19:56. Charlotte’s Stephanie Pezzullo, 30, was 15th overall and won $1,500 as first female finisher in 23:16. Columbia’s Eric Ashton, 44, finished 10th overall in 22:12 winning $500 as first Masters finisher.

In the Open 8K Criterium, South Carolina’s Eddie Vargara, 19, finished first in 24:44, leading a field of 126. Columbian Mike Hedgecock, 44, was third and first Masters in 26:43. From Greenville, Meg Chieffe, 24, was fifth and first female in 26:50. Henry Holt, 77, of Lexington, was the most senior finisher in 39:25.

The traditional Lexington Turkey Trot 5 miler on Nov. 22 brought out 120 runners. Darren Brungardt, 30, led the field with a 29:56 finish. Laura Stepp, 47, was seventh overall and first female in 34:55. Nita Eichstaedt, 68, was the senior female finisher in 47:27.

Beaufort’s Mad Marsh 50K (31.5 miles) had 23 runners on Nov. 17. Georgia runner James Sinclair, 30, finished first in 4:02:07, followed by Georgia’s Garth Peterson, 49, in 4:08:14. Taryn Thomas, 26, of Fort Stewart, Ga., was third overall and first female in 4:11:05.

The Shandon Turkey Trot 8K on Nov. 17 drew 132 runners, who pursued Columbian Ryan Plexico, 29, who won in 27:47. Columbian Michelle Wyatt, 43, was 15th overall and first female in 35:56, with Georgia’s Kathryn Ryan, 32, finishing next in 36:20. Lexington’s Rocky Soderberg, 70, was the senior finisher in 50:39, 104th overall.

The same day, the Columbia Airport Runway 5K had 544 finishers, led by Eric Ashton in 15:52. His spouse Kathryn, 30, was fourth overall and first female in 19:04. We’re tempted to say the race was a runaway success.

UPCOMING

(Confirm beforehand.) CODE: GPT=Palmetto Grand Prix Tour; TDC=Tour de Columbia

DEC. 15

COLUMBIA 10 a.m. Rudolph’s Rampage Half-Marathon & 10K, Harbison Park, TDC INFO: www.activecolumbia.com.

COLUMBIA 7:30 a.m. Columbia Half-Marathon, GPT (407) 310-6373.

LEXINGTON 9 a.m. S.C. Jingle Bell 5K, TDC (704) 705-1799.

BLUFFTON 8 a.m. Reindeer Run 5K (225) 772-2737.

CORDESVILLE 7 a.m. Eagle Endurance Last Chance 50K Trail Run & Relay (843) 478-1779.

DEC. 22

HILTON HEAD 9 a.m. Hilton Head Hospital Jingle Jingle 5K (843) 757-8520.

DEC. 24

BISHOPVILLE 9 a.m. Bayler’s Birthday Bash 5K (843) 861-1978.

DEC. 29

COLUMBIA 10 a.m. Cold Winter’s Day 5K GPT, TDC (803) 799-4786.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH 8:30 a.m. Race Into The New Year 5K (843) 997-4162.

JAN. 5

COLUMBIA 9 a.m. Columbia Resolution Run 10K Sesqui Trail, GPT, TDC (803) 556-6295.

BLUFFTON 7:30 a.m. May River Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K (225) 772-2737.

CLEMSON Resolution Rush 5K 9:30 a.m. (864(654-1200) .

CONWAY Derrick Law Firm’s Run for the Children 5K 8 a.m.

FORT MILL Joe Davis Memorial Resolution Run 5K 9 a.m. INFO: sean@s2fcharlotte.com.

JAN. 12

COLUMBIA 9 a.m. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 5K, GPT, TDC (803) 254-8070.

COWPENS Race for the Grasshopper 5K 10 a.m. (864) 948-0638.

TRAVELERS REST Resolution Run Half-Marathon & 5K, 9 a.m. (864) 834-2400) .