Winner of Anthem 5k eyes second, third legs of Triple Crown

The female winner of the Anthem 5K Fitness Classic last Saturday admits she has a target on her back for the second and third legs of the Triple Crown.

Jamie King-O’Shea finished in 16 minutes and 57 seconds in a come-from-behind victory that also marked her first competitive road race since breaking a toe in December.

The Richmond, Ky., resident is now taking aim at the Rodes City Run and the Papa John’s 10-Miler. If she wins both of those races, she would become the first runner since 2004 – male or female – to win all three legs of the Triple Crown.

“That would be a great accomplishment,” she said in an interview. “I would love to win them all.”

King-O’Shea was a standout athlete at Eastern Kentucky Univerity, where she was a four-time All-American in indoor and outdoor track. She also competed in the 2000 Olympic trials, finishing 9th overall in the 1,500 meters.

But the 31-year-old also has a humble streak. A part-time bus monitor, she talks with just as much passion about raising her three children – all under the age of 5 – and how she wants to teach them that winning isn’t everything.

“I love to get out there to show other moms that it’s possible with kids,” she said. “If you work at what you want, you can do it.”