More than 100 turn out for Freedom Run

Runners respond to the gun at the 14th annual Culbertson Freedom Run on Monday. (Courtesy photo)

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Beautiful weather greeted runners and walkers at the 14th annual Culbertson Freedom Run on Monday. More than a 100 runners took to the streets and country roads around Culbertson for the traditional Fourth of July road race, which also included a 1/3-mile and 1-mile fun runs.

The overall men's 5K winner was Steven Hinze in 17:59 and the women's 5K winner was Michelle Walters in 23:26. First in the men's 10K was Taye Collicott in 40:17 and first for the women's 10K was Michelle Schmidt in 42:12. Complete results are available at www.republicanriverfitnessseries.com.

The Culbertson Freedom Run was the fifth event in the Republican River Fitness Series. Next on the calendar is the YPG Color Run on Saturday, July 16, at 7:15 a.m. with early registration open through Friday, July 8. Race day registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the upper shelter house at Kelley Park. Also coming up is the Bison 5K Fair Run on Saturday, July 23, hosted by the McCook High School Cross Country Team at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds; and the Community Hospital Super Hero 5K and Half-Marathon....so start training.

Registrations are accepted day of the race, but online registration is already available at www.republicanriverfitnessseries.com. For more information about any of the races or the series, please contact RRFS director Ronda Graff, (308) 340-3412.

Culbertson

Freedom Run First Place Finishers

5K Overall, men: Steven Hinze 17:59.1

5K Overall, women: Michelle Walters 23:26.7

5K Women's first place

19 & Under Amanda Mote 24:04.7

20-29 Hanah Nothnagel 25:30.5

30-39 Michelle Walters 23:26.7

40-49 Kerrie Witt 27:05.1

50-59 Diane Ruppert 27:47.6

60 and over Sharon Beiber 31:50.6

5K Men's first place

19 & Under Steven Hinze 17:59.1

20-29 Clay Easterday 25:02.2

30-39 David Earhart 22:40.8

40-49 Danny Robinson 28:36.3

50-59 Curt Swanhurst 26:11.7

60 and over Marc Gilman 27:55

10K Overall, Men's: Taye Collicott 40:17.7

10K Overall, Women's: Michelle Schmidt 42:12.1

10K Women's First Place

19 & Under Kaley Hauxwell 50:02.8

20-29 Sarah Schilling 54:42.7

30-39 Michelle Schmidt 42:12.1

40-49 Carrie Roberts 54:40.9

50-59 Jennifer Simmerman 53:28.4

60 and over Cora Berry 53:29.9

10K Men's First Place

19 & Under Taye Collicott 40:17.7

20-29 Benjamin Schilling 52:24.8

30-39 David Junker 41:51.6

40-49 Troy Swartz 40:19.3

50-59 Bryce Felker 44:58.0

60 and over Dave Smith 1:08.35