Rockin' the first race of year with Shamrock Shuffle

Approximately 150 runners cross the starting line for the Shamrock Shuffle Saturday, The annual even is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus as part of the Republican River Valley Fitness Series, sponsored by the YMCA and Community Hospital.

Bruce Crosby

On the plus side, nearly 150 people had nearly perfect weather Saturday afternoon for the 2017 Shamrock Shuffle 5K/10K, sponsored by the McCook YMCA and the Knights of Columbus.

There were grumblings…the last quarter of a mile and the finish line were uphill, which can seem even steeper after 3.1 or 6.2 miles.

Yet many reached their own milestones at the Shamrock Shuffle: their first 5K ever, their first 5K of the year, their longest race, or an improved time at a 5K.

Among those running their first 5K ever was Kallen Feikert, who placed first in the men’s 19 and under division as well as the overall winner with a time of 23:06.

The overall 5K winner for the women was Kori Koeppen, who also lead the women’s 19 and under division with a time of 25:31.

In the 10K, David Junker led the men’s division, while Staci Blomstedt won the women’s division.

Complete results are available online on the fitness series website (republicanriverfitnessseries.com).

Now in its fourth year, the Shamrock Shuffle supports youth activities at the YMCA and donations from the Knights of Columbus toward youth events.

It is the first event of the 2017 season of the Republican River Fitness Series, a collaboration between Community Hospital and the YMCA.

Next up on the fitness series calendar is the Republican River Adventure Race in Trenton on Saturday, April 22 with a 2 p.m. start time.

The adventure race course will feature a little of everything: sand, dirt, pavement, river bottom, log jumping.

Registration is now open online at www.republicanriverfitnessseries.com or forms are available at the YMCA.

Age division winners included:

5K

Women’s 19 and under, Kori Koeppen; 20-29, Sarah Fritsche; 30-39, Carrie Junker; 40-49, Lana Stewart; 50-59, Theresa Eschliman; 60 and over, Sharon Bieber.

Men’s 19 and under, Kallen Feikert; 30-39, Kevin Stritt; 40-49, Gyhl Koeppen; 50-59, Mitch Lyster; 60 and over Larry Eisenmenger

10K

Women’s 20-29, Kelsey Messinger; 30-39, Staci Blomstedt; 40-49, Carrie Roberts; 50-59, Angela Ruppert

Men’s 19 and under, Caleb Wilkinson; 20-29, Daniel Stinman; 30-39, Dave Junker; 40-49, Shane Wilkinson; 60 and over, Dennis Fahrenbruch. Watch for more results in future editions.