Versailles holds annual 5K

VERSAILLES MAIN STREET FACEBOOK PHOTO

125 competitors combined to walk and run this past Saturday and those same racers braved the heat to participate in the Versailles Back to Square 5K Walk/Run.

A 1980’s themed party highlighted the 5K which served as a new version of the annual event with Main Street Versailles. The walk and run partnered with the first Courthouse Days portion of the town schedule that also saw a car show, food trucks and music take to the town streets.

From a 5K standpoint, it was no surprise who the big winners were based on their current and previous high school stature. Recently graduated Milan senior Ayden Potts was the overall 5K run winner in a time of 18:06 and that was followed by Sawyer Sullivan of Celebration, FL who was runner-up in 18:55. Another Indian high school standout in Ethan DeHamer went third at 19:01 and South Ripley graduate and former state cross country finalist Lanie Nicholson placed fourth in 19:13. She was the overall female winner of the race.

Ty Lay and Catherine Niese, both of Versailles on the official standings, finished sixth and seventh respectively in times of 20:27 and 20:31. South Ripley’s Luke Bradley placed ninth at 21:27 and Seth Niese, listed as from Versailles, was 10th at 21:29.

The run portion of the morning saw many finish as tops in their own age divisions. Aside from Potts as the overall winner, these male runners were tops: Coleman Hughes, 13U, 22:33; Sullivan, 14-18, 18:55; Brayden Ryan, 19-29, 19:41; Samuel Price, 30-39, 26:52; Chad Ryan, 40-49, 21:34; Barry Boyer, 50-59, 28:09; Lesile Fix, 60 and Up, 27:12.

Female runners that earned top finishes in their divisions included the following: Sophie Andrews, 13U, 36:15; Amber Detmer, 14-18, 21:55; Catherine Niese, 19-29, 20:31; Kaitlin Harrell, 30-39, 26:49; Cassandra Heile, 40-49, 22:58; Staci Fiddler, 50-59, 22:16; Jennifer Miller, 60 and Up, 33:34.

Darron Steele of Liberty won the walk portion of the 5K in a time of 31:47 and Dan Leach of Bedford was runner-up at 36:43. In terms of the local area, Ginger Peters and Steve Mathes were the top walkers, finishing fifth and sixth respectively in times of 40:52 and 40:59.

The following were top age level males in the 5K part of the walk: Henry Peters, 14-18, 47:51; Derek Koger, 30-39, 42:03; Matthew Menchofer, 40-49, 48:30; Mathes, 50-59, 40:59; Dan Leach, 60 and Up, 36:43. Top female walkers included the following: Christy Elbright, overall winner, 40:27; Olivia Kroger, 13U, 41:10; Alyssa Young, 19-29, 42:07; Kristen Koger, 30-39, 41:10; Stephanie Boswell, 40-49, 46:48; Peters, 50-59, 40:42; Regina Kieffer, 60 and Up, 46:14.
Full results of both the walk and run can be found at stuartroadracing.com.

5K action around the area continues this weekend as the Southeastern Indiana Racing Circuit kicks off its summer series. The first of six races of the series will be held in Rushville on Saturday as part of the Lions Pride 5K beginning at 8:30 a.m.