There were 53 participants registered for the Moniteau Christian Ministries Center (MCMC) 5k walk / run on Saturday, June 21. Event coordinators included Mike and Robin Staton, California, and Shelly Higgins, Tipton. There were a large number of local sponsors, with water provided by C&R Market.
The event was opened with a prayer by Brother Frank Hensley, California, pastor of New Life Christian Center and MCMC board member, California, after which the runners began followed by the walkers. This was a non-sanctioned event, which means that parents with children in strollers were permitted to participate.
Men running winners were: first place - Adam Burkett, California, second - Josh Grotzinger, Jefferson City, and third - Steve Engelbrecht, Jefferson City. Walking winners were: first place - J.D. Gattermeir, second - Dustin Parry, and third - Rhett Kiesling.
Ladies running winners were: first place - Lizzie Kirby, California, second - Allee Koestner, and third - Heather Doyle. Walking winners were: first place - Roberta Pate, second - Morgan Cliburn, and third - Mary Burger.
Gattermeir and Burger both were in the 70 and over category. Kirby was reported to have run at least six miles. In addition to the 5k run, she ran one mile to warm up and two miles to cool down.
The fastest time for the 5k run was Burkett's 19.27 minutes, followed closely by Grotzinger's 19.28.
This was the second year for the MCMC fundraiser event. The 2013 5k walk / run was held in Tipton. The 2014 event followed the same route as the annual Ozark ham and Turkey Festival 5k walk / run.