In the community

Adrian’s Owyhee Challenge draws more than 300 runners

Runners in the 5K race take off from downtown Adrian. (The Enterprise/John L. Braese)

ADRIAN – The hopes for a new track in Adrian were quite a few dollars closer after Saturday’s running of the fourth Owyhee Off-Road Challenge.

With more than 300 runners leaving downtown Adrian to wind through the hills above town, this year’s race marked the largest ever.

“We had quite a few pre-register and people are still showing up the day of the race,” said race organizer Nikki Shira. 

Shira and the other members of the Adrian Sports Boosters are working towards a new track at the school. The boosters are trying to find an alternate to an earlier $500,000 bid to do the work.

 “We have $90,000 gathered already before today’s race,” Shira said. “We are working on gathering in-kind services from local businesses and citizens to help lower the cost. We are also looking at some grants and just beginning the process of applying. We have some good momentum going and are excited.”

The group took a hit last year as runners were concerned about snow and late training cut participation.

That rebounded this year. With sunny skies and a bit of wind, the half marathon runners took off from the start line at 10 a.m. followed by the 10K and 5K runners 30 minutes later.

New this year was the Spring Into Wellness Fair at Two Rivers Park. Both before and after the race, runners and families strolled around the booths set up by agencies from around the county dealing with health services.

Half marathon top times

10-19 age group, male: Mitch Peterson, 2:33:05.5

10-19 age group, female: Emma Strommen, 2:08:05.6

20-29 age group, male: Matthew Melton, 1:37:21.1

20-29 age group, female: Irene Olivo, 1:52:46.6

30-39 age group, male: Daniel Button, 1:28:41.5

30-39 age group, female: Danielle Melton, 1:37:20.9

40-49 age group, male: Todd Fogdall, 1:36.17.8

40-49 age group, female: Kimberly Simmons, 1:58:00.3

50-59 age group, male: Barry Dew, 1:44:10.2

50-59 age group, female: Karen Narus, 2:07:13.5

60-69 age group, male: Jerry Roberts, 1:51:14.3

60-69 age group, female: Sandra Walker, 2:29:13.2

10K top times

10-19 age group: Jesse Walker, 59:00.6

20-29 age group, male: Grant Steward, 44:09.4

20-29 age group, female: Hailee Vernon, 51:49.1

30-39 age group, male: Kelson Mosier, 46:49.3

30-39 age group, female: Jessica Graham, 53:41.5

40-49 age group, male: Brian Baker, 41:58.9

40-49 age group, female: Tiedji Baker, 52:36.9

50-59 age group, male: Steven Olsen-Smith, 1:00:16.1

50-59 age group, female: Roberta Zimmerman, 1:00:14.8

60-69 age group, male: William Arguello, 59:47.7

60-69 age group, female: Kerstin Lavarias, 1:14:48.9

70-79 age group: Nancy McMorrow, 1:43:55.3

5K top times

0-9 age group, male: Luke Aman, 34:38.9

0-9 age group, female: Chanel Roe, 53:08.3

10-19 age group, male: Carter Bayes, 22:55.2

10-19 age group, female: Madilyn Staley, 24:23.1

20-29 age group, male: Jacob Staley, 22:19.6

20-29 age group, female: Kate Johnston, 31:42.3

30-39 age group, male: Kevin Davis, 26:19.7

30-39 age group, female: Elizabeth Murray, 23:43.1

40-49 age group, male: Kevin Schaffer, 32:02.9

40-49 age group, female: Monique Jensen, 34:27.1

50-59 age group, male: Jeff Grigsby, 25:27.8

50-59 age group, female: Suzie Rankin, 39:34.1

60-69 age group, male: Rex Stice, 36:55.4

60-69 age group, female: Karen Bumgarner, 45:17.7