Adam Utsch, who will be a senior at Paynesville Area High School in the fall, won the men's division of the 10-kilometer road race this weekend. The race was held on roads around Lake Koronis on Saturday morning.Utsch runs cross country and track for the Bulldogs. He finished the 10-kilometer race, from the Lake Koronis Regional Park to the Veteran's Memorial Park in 41:05.
The women's 10K winner was Christine Ramthun, a graduate of PAHS, who now lives in Minneapolis.
Two local runners won the five-kilometer race. Ryan Stoneburner won the men's division and Molly Zimmerman won the women's division. Stoneburner's time was 19:55, and Zimmerman's was 22:17.
A total of 46 runners and walkers participated in the Town and Country Days event: 12 in the 10K race, 30 in the 5K race, and four people who walked five kilometers.
The turnout for the fifth annual race was down from previous years. Race organizer Jay Thompson attributed the drop to busy schedules and a competing race in Willmar.
Participants came from as far as North Carolina and Florida. Almost half the field, though, were local runners.
Here are the results, with the top two finishers in each race and other local entrants.
5K Race (30 entrants)
Men's Division
1) Ryan Stoneburner, Paynesville, 19:55
2) Darrick Proehl, Melrose, 20:20
3) Andy Hart, Richmond
4) Jona Welle, Paynesville
6) Jason Wendroth, Paynesville
8) Scott Gibson, Paynesville
9) Matt Mehr, Paynesville
12) Chris Utsch, Paynesville
15) Ezra Thompson, Paynesville
19) Peder Thompson, Paynesville
Women's Division
1) Molly Zimmerman, Paynesville, 22:17
2) Christina Gottwald, Waite Park, 26:42
Rheanne and Ginelle Zimmerman of Paynesville also participated in this event, but their placings were unavailable.
10K Race (12 entrants)
Men's Division
1) Adam Utsch, Paynesville, 41:05
2) Brian Benoit, South Haven
3) Dr. Randy Zimmerman, Paynesville
4) Riley Flanders, Paynesville
7) Ron Hoff, Henderson
11) Frank Ziegler, Paynesville
Women's Division
1) Christine Ramthun, Minneapolis
2) Judy Hoff, Henderson