Republican Series runners conquer Trenton adventure

Stacy Priebe crosses the finish line first in the 2017 Republican River Adventure Run in Trenton on Saturday with a time of 19:36. The adventure run was the second of 12 events in the Republican River Fitness Series.

TRENTON, Neb. – The sand, fences, fallen trees, even the cactus didn’t deter runners and walkers at the third annual Republican River Adventure Run on Saturday in Trenton.

Rather, they enjoyed perfect weather, beautiful views along the Republican River and the joy of finding the finish line after a winding, twisting course.

As the second race in the Republican River Fitness Series, the 5K adventure race drew nearly four dozen runners to a course full of different terrain.

Usually, the race crosses the Republican River a few times during the 3.1 miles, but the beavers have been busy doing what beavers do best – building dams and causing the river to become impassable along the course.

Instead, runners and walkers traipsed alongside the river in addition to rounding a sand pit, clearing fences and leaping over logs.

Sponsored and hosted by the Hitchcock County School Foundation, the adventure run was won by Stacy Priebe, who was the overall winner and the men’s 40-49 age division winner with a time of 19:36. Stacie Blomstedt was the overall women’s winner with a time of 23:51.

Overall age division winners included:

Women, 19 and under:Grace Cappel; 20-29, Leslie Robbins; 30-39, Staci Blomstedt; 40-49, Shelley Wilkinson; 50-59, Theresa Eschliman; 60 and over, Sharon Beiber

Men, 19 and under:Tucker Gillespie; 20-29; Junior Hollerich; 30-39, Mike Farr; 40-49, Stacy Priebe; 50-59, Kenneth ten Bensel; 60 and over, Jim Olson.

Next up on the fitness series’ calendar is Community Hospital’s “Just for Fun 5K Run” on evening of Thursday, May 11.

And the best part is that there is no registration fee, compliments of Community Hospital as part of National Hospital Week.

Registration forms are available around the community, including the YMCA.

Online registration may be completed online at republicanriverfitnessseries.com.

The Republican River Fitness Series is a 12-event collaboration between Community Hospital and the YMCA to promote a healthy, active lifestyle in southwest Nebraska.