Greensburg — The Decatur County Family YMCA hosted the 35th Annual Tree City 5k and 10k Run/Walk Nov. 16.

According to race results published at www.crossroadsofindiana.com, between the race’s 5k and 10k categories, almost 70 male and female runners in seven age groups (under 13, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+) participated.

YMCA Program Coordinator Amy Klene, who organized the race, told the Daily News that the race’s overall winners won a trophy, a $25 Walmart giftcard and $25 gift card from the Blue Mile running and walking specialty store in Greenswood.

Additionally, winners in each age category won a medal and a Blue Mile gift card.

On the men’s side, Columbus eighth-grader Elijah Brooks was the top overall finisher in the 5k run, and consequently, in the 13-19 age group. Brooks ran the course in 18:59.

Tim Proctor, also of Columbus, won the men’s 10k run with a time of 36:46. Proctor raced in the 40-49 age group.

On the women’s side, Kelsy Ewing of Greensburg finished first overall in the 10k race with a time of 44:05. She ran in the 20-29 age group.

In the women’s 5k run, Jill Vance finished first with a time of 21:16.

Shortly after finishing the race, Brooks told the Daily News that he and Proctor, along with several other racers from the Nov. 16 event, are part of the ongoing Crossroads of Indiana Race Series, a series of 30 races which began Feb. 11 in Seymour, and will conclude Dec. 8 in Columbus.

Scott Spinner, 44, of McCordsville, who finished 5th overall in the men’s 10k race, said the Tree City Run marked his 51st race in 2012.

“I’ve got nine more to go in 2012 if the weather holds out,” he said.

Spinner started racing in 2007, when, at age 39, he noticed himself growing more and more out of shape with age.

“I’ve lost a lot of weight,” he said. “Plus I’ve gotten to meet a lot of really cool people.”

Ewing, at age 23, is already a veteran tri-athlete, who typically participates in 4 runs and 4 triathlons a year.

“I was here swimming at the Y last night,” she explained, “and Amy asked me if I would run in this. I didn’t know anything about it.”

She added, “This is a great course to run. It’s very flat and well-marked, which is what you’re looking for as a runner.”

David and Sherrie Owens, 56, of Greenwood, ran the 10k together, but finished several minutes apart, with Sherrie running the course in 1:01:39 (6th place, women’s) and David finishing in 1:11:47.

David, in fact, was the day’s last finisher.

He didn’t seem to mind his last-place standing, though, especially since Sherrie was waiting at the finish line.

“It beats sitting on the couch, watching everybody else having fun,” he said. “The important thing is to finish.”

Sherrie Owens shared her husband’s enthusiasm for participating and finishing.

“We started doing this about five years ago,” she explained. “David has lost about 60 pounds, and I’ve lost around 90. This is our 20th race this year.”

She further intimated that running together has allowed the couple to find a common passion that’s strengthened their relationship and increased their quality time together.

Over the last five years, the two have has completed multiple half and full marathons, as well as several 5k and 10k races.

Recently, though, the pair has begun to diverge in their choice of courses.

“I’m finding that I really enjoy trail running quite a bit,” Sherrie Owens said. “It’s so much easier on the joints, and it really works your core. That’s very important to me because I have arthritis in my hips.”

“David,” she continued, “still prefers pavement running. We’ve always practiced together, and we still do, but these days we sort of go separate ways at practice; David runs the pavement, and I go off onto the trails. That’s okay though. We always start together, and we always meet at the finish line.”

For complete results of the 2012 Decatur County Family YMCA 5k and 10k run/walk, visit www.crossroadsofindiana.com.

For more information on the Decatur County Family YMCA or any of its programs or events, call 663-9622 or visit www.decaturcountyfamilyymca.org.



Contact: Rob Cox at 812-663-3111 x7011.