SOUTH CAROLINA road racing growth continues but might be creating a problem when multiple races are held the same day and end up competing for runners.

It might be that established races are losing numbers as they compete for “market share” against first-time races.

Since most races are non-profit events for charities, having two or three, or even six on the same day in one city as happened in Columbia two years ago, can be disappointing.

Perhaps the continuing growth could be strengthened if the officers in S.C. running clubs were able to develop a plan to advise new race directors on how to optimize participation without butting heads with established races. Here’s hoping.

On Saturday, two “Resolution” races were held with probably no conflict. Clemson University’s Resolution Rush 5K turned out 46 runners, who were led to the finish by Anderson’s Tom Wild, 59, in 20:06. Georgia runner Laura Phillips, 36, was first female and ninth overall in 22:35.

Richland Northeast High in Columbia had 115 runners in their Resolution 5K, with Lexington’s Drew Harris, 20, winning in 37:21. Eddie Vergara, 20, of Hopkins, was second in 37:48.

In third, in 38:18 was Lexington’s Hunter Janus, 14. From Rock Hill, Kimberly Hefner, 38, was 10th overall and first female in 46:34. Columbian Jeff Brandenburg, 46, was first Masters runner, finishing seventh overall in 43:30.

Katie del Castillo, 26, was 14th overall and second female. The most senior finisher was Lexington’s Henry Holt, 77, who was 76th in 1:01.21.

The Columbia Half-Marathon on Dec. 15 had 260 finishers. Its companion 5K had 78 finishers.

Justin Bishop, 31, from West Columbia ran away from the field in the Half in 1:17:51. The first Masters finisher was Mount Pleasant’s Eric Hansen, 40, who finished in 1:20:29, and was second overall.

Erin Kesterson, 31, of Columbia, was 17th overall and first female in 1:37:01. Immediately following her and first in their respective age groups were Eastover’s Albert Anderson, 64, 1:37:04, and Bishopville’s Robbie McLendon, 57, in 1:37:11.

Blythewood’s Lorikay Kienzle, 54, was first female Masters winner and 39th overall in 1:44:09.

The 5K winners were James Holmes, 30, of Columbia, in 22:11, and Lauren McCormick, 26, eighth overall, and first female in 26:16.

The Columbia Half-Marathon field was much smaller than last year because it was competing with Rudolph’s Rampage Half-Marathon and 10K at Harbison the same day.

Strictly Running’s Cold Winter’s Day 5K in Columbia on Dec. 29 has evolved, so many runners try to “peak” for end of the year “braggin’ rights.” Scott Wietecha, 31, now living in Tennessee, came home in style by leading the field of 606 in 14:56.

Myrtle Beach runner Jonathan Kinsey, 28, was next in 16:18, and California runner Mark Pepin, 24, was third in 16:19. Columbian Kenzie Riddle, 28, was 14th overall and first female in 18:51. Chapin’s Claudia Nunez-Lopez, 22, was the second female in 19:08, 16th overall. Columbian Mildred Jensen, 81, finished in 55:14. Henry Holt, 77, was the eldest male and first of three in the 70-and-over age group in 28:37.

UPCOMING

CODE: GPT=Palmetto Grand Prix Tour; TDC=Tour de Columbia

SATURDAY: COLUMBIA 9:00 a.m. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 5K, GPT, TDC (803) 254-8070

COWPENS 10:00 a.m. Race for the Grasshopper 5K, GPT (864) 948-0638

TRAVELERS REST 9:00 a.m. Resolution Run Half-Marathon & 5K (864) 834-2400

JAN. 19: HOPKINS 1:30 P.M. Snowman Run 8K, TDC lisa@rcrc.state.sc.us

GREENVILLE 9:00 a.m. Greenville News Downtown 5K (864 )298-4729.

CHARLESTON 8:00 a.m. Charleston Marathon & Half-Marathon; 8:15 a.m. 5K (843) 300-7500

JAN. 26: COLUMBIA 9:00 a.m. Mountain in the Middle 12K & 17K (864)907-1742.

COLUMBIA 7:30 a.m. Red Shoe Run 10K, GPT, TDC; 7:45 a.m. 5K, TDC. (803) 254-0118

ROCK HILL 9:00 a.m. Hunger Run 5K & 1 Mile (803) 366-1293

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH 9:00 a.m. Winter Run 15K & 5K (843) 272-1717

FEB. 2: COLUMBIA 9:00 a.m. Brookland-Cayce Run/Walk to the Plate 5K, INFO: (803)739-4651

SUMTER 9:30 a.m. Resolution Race 5K Run, GPT; 5K Walk (803) 468-8840

GREENWOOD 8:30 a.m. Run Your Ice Off 8K & 5K INFO: jeff@greenwoodscchamber.org

CLINTON 8:00 a.m. Crossfit864 Half-Marathon (864) 923-0554

FEB. 9 COLUMBIA 8:00 a.m. St. Lawrence Place Race for the Place 5K, GPT, TDC (803) 256-3999

COLUMBIA 9:00 a.m. Discover CIU 10K PGP; Both 5K & 10K are on TDC. (803) 807-5250

COLUMBIA 10:00 a.m. Cupid’s Chase 5K, Finlay Park, TDC, comop.org/cupidschase

HILTON HEAD 8:00 a.m. Hilton Head Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K (843) 757-8520

FAX race results to The State Sports at 803-771-8613. E-mail comments to docham@earthlink.net.