Weekend race results: Running out the old year and running in the new

Two separate 5K races occured over the weekend near Wichita.  The first one celebrated the end to 2010 and the other celebrated the beginning to 2011.  Many runners particpated in both races to run out the old year and run in the new.

The festivities started out on New Year's Eve at 5pm at the El Dorado Civic Center with the 5K Resolution Run.  Included within the 5K run was the "Beer Run" where participants 21 years and older could partake in three 8oz steins full of beer at miles 0.75, 1.5, and 2.25.  After each beer was consumed, the participants hand was marked.  Special awards were given to the top three participants with all 3 marks on their hand.  Beer was also served at the start and finish line. 

Of course, not all runners stopped for the beer and posted some very nice times with Mizuno shoes on the line for the first place finishers.   Keith Long,54, of Beaumont was the recipient of the men's Mizuno shoes winning the 5K race with a time of 17:46.  John Mass, 28, of Wichita was second with a time of 19:06 and George Myers, 39, of El Dorado was third with a time of 19:59. 

Bob Hornung, 40, of Wichita was barely phased by having to stop 3 times to chug a beer and was the first "Beer Run" finisher with a time of 20:00.

April Gochenour, 32, of Rose Hill decided to skip the beer and go for speed.  This paid off as she won the women's race and Mizuno shoes with a time of 20:07.  Molly Millbourn, 18, of El Dorado was too young to stop for any beer, but came in second with a time of 20:19, with Kate Robinson, 25, of El Dorado coming in third with a time of 23:19.

Chili and cornbread were served post race along with great door prizes and awards.  At 5:45, a toast to the new year was made.

The Frosty 5K followed the Resolution 5K on New Year's Day.   The run was appropriately moved to late morning to allow all those who had stayed up a late to celebrate the new year, a chance to race on Saturday.  The Frosty 5K was hosted by the Central YMCA at 11am on Saturday. 

The overall male and overall female winners each received a $100 gift certificate to First Gear.  Thomas O' Connell, 20, of Wichita came in first with a time of 17:09 with Eric Anders, 18, of Wellington coming in second with a time of 17:28 and Shawn Stafford, 27, of Wichita coming in third with a time of 17:53.

In the women's race, Lacy Hansen, 29, of Wichita ran a new personal record winning with a time of 19:42 beating out Milbourn (who placed 2nd 18 hours before at the Resolution 5K).  Milborn closely shadowed Hansen throughout the majority of the race but Hansen threw on the steam and Milbourn finished second with a time of 20:11.  Kim Lemon, 29, of Wichita finished third with a time of 20:45.

The post race food of chili, soup, and cocoa helped runners de-thaw after the Frosty 5K.

The YMCA improved their organization tremendously!!  In years past it took forever to get results, awards, etc.
This year, there was chip timing, the awards and medals were distributed at the finish line, and even the door prizes were listed on a bulletin board by the time you finished. That made the whole event smooth and much more enjoyable.-- Lacy Hansen

Complete results for both races can be found here.