Freedom Run ignites holiday in Culbertson again

Mike Simmonds (right) takes the festivities up a notch as walks the 5K with 40-pound weight vest and American flag. More than 120 runners and walkers participated in the annual event.

Courtesy Photo

CULBERTSON, Neb. - The Culbertson Freedom Run 5K/10K always attracts a large crowd as family and friends gather to kick of the Fourth of July holiday together.

The 2019 Freedom Run was no different with beautiful running weather drawing a large crowd.

More than 120 runners and walkers ran and walked either the 5K or 10K distances, with an out-and-back course south of Culbertson.

An additional 20-30 kids ran the 1/3-mile and 1-mile fun runs before the official race began.

For the 5K, Jaiden Melendrez was the overall winner and men’s 20-29 top finisher with a time of 19:18.

The overall women’s leader and 19 and under division winner was Kori Koeppen in 24:46.

In the 10K, Jonathan Solorzano led the field with a time of 42:04, narrowly edging David Junker to claim overall winner.

Staci Blomstedt continued her winning ways, taking the women’s 10K title in 50:08.

Top results included:

5K

Women: 19 and under, Kori Koeppen, 24:46.0; 20-29, Ashley Ambrosek, 25:48.4; 30-39, Lyllian Huss, 25:35.9; 40-49, Michelle Schmidt, 26:36; 50-59, Ruppert, Diane, 29:04.9; 60 and over, Sharon Beiber, 35:41.8

Men: 19 and under, Justin Golus, 20:48.6; 20-29, Melendrez, Jaiden, 19:18.8; 30-39, Jesus Aguirre, 24:05.6; 40-49, Mike Farr, 22:14.7; 50-59, Loren Wagner, 27:21.4; 60 and over, Bob Showman, 33:06.2

10K

Women, 19 and under, Grace Cappel, 50:44.2; 20-29, Amanda Kahny, 50:25.5; 30-39, Staci Blomstedt, 50:08.0; 40-49, Tonya Koeppen, 54:38.6; 50-59, Claryce Fritsche, 1:03:57.1

Men, 19 and under, Caleb Wilkinson, 54:24.9; 20-29, Jonathan Solorzano 42:04; 30-39, Kevin Stritt, 52:04.0; 40-49, David Junker, 42:08.4; 50-59, Tom Bredvick, 57:07.6; 60 and over, Ray Chmiel, 45:49.9

Community Hospital sponsors the Culbertson Freedom Run, which is the sixth of 11 events in the Republican River Fitness Series.

Next up is Indianola’s Old Settlers Adventure Team Run on Saturday, Aug. 10.

With the Old Settler’s theme, Glow Crazy, participants need grab their neon as well as a friend or family member to form a two-person team.

Teams will run or walk the 5Kish course and do activities along the way.

Then it is a sprint to the finish.

Along with age division prizes, there will be awards for fastest teams in the men’s, women’s, coed and kids (14 and under) divisions.

Register online as well as find complete results for all RRFS races at www.republicanriverfitnessseries.com.