Locals rule Lake Run

Elliot Welder, of Kalis-pell, was the first of more than 500 runners and walkers to cross the finish line at City Beach on Saturday at the 33rd annual Whitefish Lake Run.

Welder posted a 15:30 in the 5K, about 18 seconds ahead of challenger Seth Grossman. Rich Graves was the top Whitefish runner overall and the fastest in the masters division at 19:14.8.

Among other local men, Samuel Menicke wrapped up the 8-and-under division with a 24:03.2, Connor Gray took the 13-15 group with a 19:58.7, Jayson Hampton won the 26-32 group, Dave Grady was tops in the 50-59 division and William Hobgod was first among 70-79 men.

Jessica Johnson, of Bigfork, won the 5K for women with a 19:06.2. Kathy Anderson, 57, was the first Whitefish woman to cross the finish line, posting a 24:26.8. Another local, Lea Given, won the 60-69 divisions, while Cierra Collier, Madison Grady and Ryan Chauner made a clean sweep of the 13-15 division.

In the 10K, Carl Nystuen posted the best time overall, carrying a 5:20 pace along East Lakeshore Drive to City Beach at 33:02.5. Paul Okerberg was the fastest local, taking sixth overall at 38:07.1.

Among the other Whitefish runners in the men's divisions, Jack Eisenbarth won the 9-12 group and Stephen Shea was second for 40-49.

Vonda Garcia, of White-fish, was the fastest woman in the 10K, posting a 41:22.8. Recent Whitefish High School graduate Loni Hanson came in fourth at 45:09.8.

Among other local women, Kelly Shea won the 13-15 age group, Carolyn Hricko took first among 19-25 women, Amy Gatton won the 26-32 group, Melanie Toelke was first in the 33-39 division, and Lynn Rose won the 60-69 group and set a course record for her age group at 55:34.5.

Overall Female 5K Open Winners

1, Jessica Johnson, BF, 19:06.2; 2, Kayla Carlson, BF, 20:24.6; 3, Rachael Hart, Kal, 21:22.0; 4, Paisley Burtsfield, Kal, 22:18.2; 5, Sonal Shah-Frickle, Kal, 22:40.3

Overall Men Open Winners

1, Elliot Welder, Kal 15:30.0; 2, Seth Grossman, Kal, 15:48.6; 3, Derrick Williams, CFalls, 18:19.1; 4, Austin Zapata, Kal, 18:41.6; 5, Jeremiah Gaiser, Kal, 18:42.9

Overall Female 10K Open Winners

1, Vonda Garcia, WF, 41:22.8; 2, Cassi Cowan, Kal, 44:27.4; 3, Janelle McCracken, CFalls, 44:51.0; 4, Loni Hanson, WF, 45:09.8; 5, Marcella Sandry, Kal, 45:43.8

Overall Male 10K Open

1, Carl Nystuen, Lakeside, 33:02.5; 2, Derek Vinge, Fernie, B.C., 34:12.4; 3, Zach Perrin, Lakeside, 34:19.0;4, Scott Gaiser, Kal, 35:12.0; 5, Ted Burnham, Kal, 36:37.2.