Running fast and free at Culbertson's annual big race

Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Eric Crutchfield of Wilminton, Ill., (above) won the men’s 10K at Culbertson on Sunday.
Courtesy photo

CULBERTSON, Neb. — Nearly 100 runners and walkers kicked off the Fourth of July holiday in Culbertson with a few miles of running and walking.

The Freedom Run 5K and 10K, sponsored by Community Hospital, started off with perfect running weather, although conditions were a bit warm and humid as the runners and walkers crossed the finish line.

Claiming the overall title for the 5K was Josiah Wilkinson of Culbertson with a time of 19:16.

Culbertson’s own Josiah Wilkinson (above) was overall 5K chamipion of the Freedom Run in Culbertson Sunday morning o begin celebration of American’s Independence Day. McCook High cross country state medalist Samantha Rodewald (right) ran the women’s fastest 5K among nearly 100 who participated in this annual Culbertson Freedom Run.
Courtesy photos

Fellow McCook High cross country runner Sammy Jo Rodewald was not too far behind, claiming the women’s overall 5K title with a time of 19:51.

In the 10K race, Eric Crutchfield of Wilmington, Ill., happened to be passing through Nebraska, signed up for the race and went on to win the overall 10K top finisher with a time of 38:29.

The top female finisher in the 10K was Heather George of North Platte.

Sammy Jo Rodewald of McCookk claimed the women’s overall 5K title with a time of 19:51.
Courtesy photo

Other top finishers for the Fourth of July race were:

5K Women

19 and under, Sammy Rodewald, 19:51.9

20-29, Hanah Nothnagel,29:18.4

30-39, Amie Sughoue, 28:18.5

40-49, Michelle Schmidt, 22:03.3

50-59, Malinda Hayes, 26:03.9

60 and over, Diane Ruppert, 29:58.9\

5K Men

19 and under, Josiah Wilkinson, 19:16.2

30-39, Kevin Forch, 28:11.9

40-49, Ryan Morthole, 37:35.3

50-59, Kyle Grafel, 30:03.3

60 and over, Ray Chmiel, 25:16.3

10K Women

20-29, Maria Fernanda Canedo, 1:04:47.7

30-39, Yalo Palma, 57:01.9

40-49, Heather George, 51:12.1

50-59, Marta Chmiel, 1:33:28.0

10K Men

19 & Under, Joshua Hegwood, 45:38.3

20-29, Jonathan Solorzano, 42:39.8 3

30-39, Eric Crutchfield,38:29.1

40-49, Mike Farr, 51:03.6

50-59, Tory Swartz, 45:26.0

Complete results are available on the Republican River Fitness Series website.

Next up with the Adventure Run at Indianola’s Old Settler’s Day on Aug. 14.

Registration is now open at www.republicanriverfitnessseries.com.

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