Racers enjoy beautiful Newspapers Rock 10k

More than 65 runners enjoyed beautiful conditions while racing in the sixth annual Newspapers Rock 10K race on October 13 in Indian Creek Canyon.
Jason Johnson was the overall winner, covering the 6.2-mile course in 43:19. Second place overall is Brian Kirby in 44:20, followed by William McFarland in 44:27.
The top woman finisher is Britta McFarland in 47:02, followed by Penny Ream in 48:06 and Sarah Flannery in 49:29. McFarland was the runner-up last year.
Youth was well served, with eighth grade student Jamikal Shakespeare finishing fourth overall in a time of 45:04. He was followed in the youth division by Eli Beck in 46:26 and Grange Simpson in 46:45.
In the womens 34 and under category, the winner is Michelle Peterson in 50:33, followed by Becky Kirby in 53:24, and Mindy Saunders in 57:23.
In the men’s age 35-49 category, the winner is Kevin Webb in 49:01, followed by Worthy Glover in 52:28 and Steven Burt in 53:34.
The men’s age 50 and up winner is Robert Hatch in 45:48, followed by John Whitcomb in 50:23, and Ron Dehn in 51:24.
The women’s age 35 to 49 winner is Michelle Adams in 50:38, followed by Tammee Sallmon in 52:12, and Kathy Hatch in 55:46.
The women’s age 50 and up winner is Laurie Randall in 56:36, followed by Lillian Bayles in 58:44, and Georgiana Simpson in 1:00:11.
Other racers include Clint Behunin, Teresa Bingham, Kara Boyd, Mary Segay Dayzie, Kimberly Glover, James Hook, Jill Hook, Thomas Hook, Mandy Jack, Stanley Jones, Barbie Lawton, and Bert Manheimer.
Other racers include Kit Mantz, Heidi Pehrson, Laurie Schafer, Megan Schafer, Amy Smith, Laurie Steele, Vanessa Young, Kimberly Young and Jessiqua Zufelt.
Additional racers include Steven Simpson, Heather White, BetteAnne Gilbert, Paul Gilbert, Lisa Rarick, Dustin Jones, Erin Jones, Sarah Blackburn, Linda Ward, Cyndy Christensen, Mark Christensen, Lori Webb, Torri Perkins, Lisa Booth, Melanie Frost, Jessica Ellingston and Jan Bradford.
Last years race was dominated by the Monticello High School Cross Country team, which used the race as a pre-region tuneup. This year, the team did not run, in preparation for the state tournament.
While it was cool for spectators, the weather was perfect for runners, who begin at Newspaper Rock and finish near the Dugout Ranch at the mouth of Indian Creek Canyon.
The most seasoned racers this year were 75-year-old John Whitcomb of Pennsylvania and Margaret Garcia of La Sal.
Trent Schafer has run the race all six years.
The Newspapers Rock 10K is sponsored by the San Juan Record. It takes place each year on the second Saturday of October.
The race went off without a hitch, despite several unexpected circumstances. It would not have been possible without the work of many workers and volunteers, including Scott Burton, Anna Adair, Jill Slack, Scott and Melissa Shakespeare, Andrea Montgomery, Chris Adair, Dawn Torres, Sister Peterson, Sister Ward, Brian Boyd, the MHS Cross Country team, City of Monticello, San Juan County, Dugout Ranch, UDOT and many, many more.