Saturday’s Rec De Plaza Run was a smashing success, with 38 participants competing in six different age categories.

This year’s event featured a revamped course that included a 10K downhill run from the top of the Polecat Bench down to the Yellowstone Building on the campus of Northwest College. A 5K option was also available that began at Road 10’s paved blacktop and headed south to Seventh Street. The new route measured out to just over 10 kilometers, or 6.61 miles.

“It sounds like everybody enjoyed it,” said Colby Stenerson of the Powell Recreation District, the co-sponsor of the event. “It was a little different — It wasn’t an out-and-back kind of thing. I think the runners enjoyed that portion, runners told me the first couple of miles flew by going down that hill. I think it was really well-received.”

Stenerson said fellow race organizer Toby Bonner came up with the idea to revamp the course as a means of setting the event apart from a typical 10K. Bonner took a drive to the top of the bench in an effort to find a route that could be equally split between dirt and paved roads.

“I started looking for dirt roads that came off the top of the bench, and luckily the one I found was prety close to the half-way point of being a 5K on the dirt and a 5K on the road,” Bonner explained. “Every single participant I talked to, everybody was so excited and had so much fun. They really loved the descent portion of the route. They said they would be back next year for sure.”

Race volunteer Jacey Lucus was stationed at the final checkpoint, and said every runner that came through seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“The runners were all smiles as they turned the corner on the Seventh Street home stretch,” she said. “I’m now Atlanta-based, but it was fun to visit home and see so many familiar faces, plus some out-of-towners, come support the Rec De Plaza race.” 

Riley McKeen took the top spot in 19 and under boys, clocking a time of 48.20. In 19 and under girls, Kayla Kolpitcke finished first with a time of 52.42.

Ben Zeller set the pace in men’s 20-39 with a time of 54:04. In 20-39 women, Jenne Wittwer finished first with a time of 46:18; her time was the third-fastest among all 10K competitors.

In the 40 and over men’s division, Ladell Merritt claimed the top spot, posting a blistering time of 43:52, the fastest time of the day overall. Molly Moore finished first in the women’s 40 and over division, with a time of 52:53.

Dennis Davis was the event’s lone 5K competitor, finishing in 43:04.

With the positive feedback received about the new course, Bonner said plans are already underway for next year’s event, with a few tweaks that would allow all participants to enjoy the descent portion of the route.

“We only had one 5K participant this year, because everybody wanted to do the Fremont descent,” he said. “We’re going to be looking at actually having the 5K start up on top as well, and end at the halfway point. Hopefully we can get more interest in the 5K that way, as well.”

The Rec De Plaza benefits the Powell Rec Foundation, as well as Plaza Diane.

2019 Rec De Plaza

Polecat to Yellowstone Run

19 and Under Men

1. Riley McKeen 48:20, 2. Daniel Merritt 50:41, 3. Isaac Summers 55:25, 4. Dylan Cordes 57:44, 5. Jaxson Jasso 1:15:38

19 and Under Women

1. Kayla Kolpitcke 50:42

20-39 Men

1. Ben Zeller 54:04, 2. Ben Borcher 1:01:51, 3. Dustin Wittwer 1:03:29, 4. John Hobbs 1:09:17, 5. Joseph Stammerjohn 1:13:53

20-39 Women

1. Jenne Wittwer 46:18, 2. Melissa Anderson 1:00:13, 3. Valerie Baker 1:11:51

40 and Over Men

1. Ladell Merritt 43:52, 2. Kevin Pfefferle 45:46, 3. Jenar Jasso 50:25, 4. Earl Melton 52:21, 5. Mike Hobbs 54:46, 6. Jerry Rodriguez 56:31, 7. John Housel 57:44, 8. Bryant Bain 58:24, 9. Dustin Spomer 1:03:54, 10. Jason Quigley 1:05:13, 11. Victor Cordes 1:07:02, 12. Paul Faxon 1:17:46

40 and over Women

1. Molly Moore 52:53, 2. Jeanna Merritt 55:36, 3. Nan O’Neill 59:43, 4. Shelly Melton 1:01:00, 5. Molly Lynn 1:02:27, 6. Jill Quigley 1:05:13, 7. Tanya Bonner 1:06:38, 8. Heather Faxon 1:07:17, 9. Joelyn Nordeen 1:11:19

5K 40 and Over Men

1. Dennis Davis 43:04