The Missouri Run Club presented the Poplar Bluff Independence Run in Downtown Poplar Bluff on Saturday. The day started with a 5k, then finished with a one-mile Kids Run. Both races started and finished at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library.
All proceeds from the event were donated to the Wake Foundation, which helps wounded military veterans stay engaged with the outdoors and "provides logistical support for rehabilitative programs geared to give back to those who have fought so hard and continue to fight daily."
Poplar Bluff native Isaiah Williams led the way in the 5K, placing first overall in 18 minutes, 58 seconds. This was his first victory in the race through six appearances. Katelyn Moeller of Williamsville placed first among all women's divisions with a time of 22:40. Sophie Starnes, 12, of Poplar Bluff nabbed first overall in the one mile Kids Run with a time of 8:13. Kennett native KJ Kalich, 7, finished first among all boy's divisions, winning in 10:35.
Brantly James grabbed first place in the men's 5K 0-19 division with a time of 20:05.
Winning in 21:39, Poplar Bluff native Bailey Davidson took the men's 20-29 division. Poplar Bluff's James Zimmerman secured first place in 23:01, among the 30-39 men's division Kennett's Kevin Kalich crossed the finish line in first place with a time of 23:02 in the men's 40-49 division. In a time of 22:17, Rob Tomlinson won the men's 50-59 division. Tim Funke of Poplar Bluff won the men's 60-plus division with a time of 28:10.
Poplar Bluff's Grace Owings won the women's 0-19 division, winning in 32:52.
In the women's 20-29 division, Poplar Bluff's Kaila Saxton won with a time of 23:18. Betsy Mays of Poplar Bluff finished first in the women's 30-39 division, winning in 26:28. Poplar Bluff native Shawna Till took first place in 24:10 among the women's 40-49 division. Deana Wilikerson of Patterson grabbed first place in the women's 50-59 division with a time of 24:18. Piedmont's Ellen Ross won the women's 60-plus division with a time of 32:31.
In the Kids Run, Poplar Bluff's Curtis Zimmerman won the boys' 0-6 division with a time of 13:21. Greenlee Anderson of Poplar Bluff won the girls' 0-6 division in 15:41. Poplar Bluff's Alexis Cochran placed first in the girls' 7-9 division with a time of 8:41. In 13:19, Tiara Macklin of Poplar Bluff won the girls' 10-12 division.