More than 430 runners from 18 different states took part in Saturday morning’s 4th Annual Hoptown Half Marathon & 5K, with perfect weather and strong times on display.
Sponsored by Planters Bank and Jennie Stuart Health, News Edge’s Eddie Owen got to visit with Parks & Recreation Director Tab Brockman shortly after the race:
Newburgh, Indiana, man Kentaro Yamada was the top finisher in the 13-mile trek, behind a time of 1:15:40 on a 5:46 pace. Hopkinsville native Will Owen posted the top time in the 5K with a 19:47, a 6:22 mile. The top woman finisher in the half marathon was Clay native Ashley Brown, behind a 1:47:46, while Clarksville’s Alexandra Peifer ran a 22:36 as the top woman in the 5K.
This year, the race did include a new “ruck” division — challenging runners to experience either course with a minimum 20-pound backpack for participants weighing more than 150 pounds, or a 10-pound minimum for anyone weighing less than 150 pounds.
The challenge was embraced by some. Savannah Crittenden, of Southaven, Mississippi, ran the entire half-marathon course with extra weight in 2:00:41. Winner of the 5K Ruck Division: Hopkinsville’s Jimmy Lancaster, who drilled it in 33 minutes and 54 seconds.
Korey Nunley, a special volunteer, announced it would be her last as race coordinator.
Brockman noted that Nunley has been “nothing short of amazing” in helping Hopkinsville get this event rolling in a terrific direction.
Full half-marathon and 5K results can be found at HoptownHalf.com, while full event photos are available for download on the Hoptown Half & 5K Facebook page.
Cash prizes for “most spirit” will be announced later this week.
