Top finishers in the annual Wawasee Junior Achievement 5K run, held Saturday, May 14, included, front row, from left: Debbie Griggs, Kirstin Alles, Sydnee Keith, Julia Hartzler, Yuko Baumann, Lita Snyder, Caden Pratt, Mitch Price, Caleb Pratt and Brian Shepherd. Second row: Randy Miller, Arron Pearson, Matt Granger, Amanda Carboneau, Stan Hartzler, Mark Skibowski, Janna Simcoe and Heath Simcoe. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

SYRACUSE — Despite the rainy weather and cool temperatures, 38 runners, joggers and walkers came to Syracuse on Saturday morning to participate in the Wawasee Junior Achievement’s annual 5K race.

According to Junior Achievement Area Coordinator Renea Salyer, participants followed a newly designed course that incorporated the area around Wawasee High School and the nearby Fox Run neighborhood. She noted that the runners she spoke with following the race reported it to be an easy and good course.

The overall race winner was Kirstin Alles. The top male finisher was Brian Shepherd. Age group top finishers included:

Women 19 and under: Sydnee Keith, first place, Julia Hartzler, second place

Men 19 and under: Caden Pratt, first, Caleb Pratt, second

Women 20-29: Amanda Carboneau, first

Men 20-29: Matt Granger, first

Women 30-39: Lita Snyder, first, Janna Simcoe, second

Men 30-39: Arron Pearson, first, Heath Simcoe, second

Women 40-49: Yuko Baumann, first, Debbie Griggs, second

Men 40-49: Stan Hartzler, first, Mitch Price, second

Men 50+: Randy Miller, first, Mark Skibowski, second

Proceeds from the event benefit Junior Achievement programs in the Wawasee schools. Salyer expressed her appreciation to the race’s sponsors, including K21 Health Foundation, The Mail-Journal, CTB Inc., Kosciusko Community Hospital, Parkview Health, Re/Max Lakes, the Bowen Center, Milford Elementary, Syracuse Elementary, North Webster Elementary, Milford Middle School, Syracuse Middle School and Wawasee High School. She also thanked the Junior Achievement Wawasee board members for volunteering and coordinating the event.

Salyer invited everyone to join them next year for the next 5K, either as a volunteer or participant. Anyone seeking more information about Junior Achievement can contact Sayler at [email protected].