Runners brave cold for annual 5K
Waugh, Hohweiler run to top finishes
Saturday may have been cold and cloudy, but that did not deter the participants of the Guymon Pioneer Days 5K Run/1-Mile Walk.
Check in began at the American Legion Building by Sunset Lake. T-shirts and bibs were handed out, as volunteers laughed with runners and walkers alike.
“I’ve been running this race for years,” contestant Zac Miller said.
Many repeat runners were present, but newbies are always welcome. The course is challenging, but that didn’t stop the runners from lacing up their sneakers.
Amazingly the cold weather didn’t halt them, either.
The mission of the race has changed over the years, but it is still a great force for good during Pioneer Days. Not only will this year’s proceeds go to the Guymon High School girls soccer team, a portion also goes to a long-standing scholarship for Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
Without the donation of time provided by the soccer team and other volunteers, the race would have failed to be a success. A shoutout was given by the race organizer Rick Roberts, who thanked Equity Bank and Refz Sports Bar.
“Our sponsors, Equity Bank and Refz Restaurant, helped us elevate the event through their generous contribution and support.” Roberts said.
The top three finishers among males were Lance Waugh (first), Ramon Aguilar (second) and Carlos Gomez (third). There were 30 contestants in the men’s race.
The top three finishers in the women’s race were Marjorie Hohweiler (first), Carla Tiniguar (second) and Denise Martinez (third). There were nine contestants in the women’s race.
The top finishers in the 1-mile trip around Sunset Lake were Claire Hohweiler, Hadley Waugh, and Sofia Alvidrez.
All participants deserve a round of applause for the effort they put in to the run/ walk. It takes a certain type of mental fortitude to compete in an event like that, especially in less than favorable conditions.
Now is the time to start training and, hopefully, next year will see an even greater number of participants who are willing to show what they got during the most exciting time in Guymon.