CROSSVILLE — Sixty of the more than 100 runners that participated in the May 12 Relay for Life 5k Run in downtown Crossville averaged 12-minute miles or better, according to the final results released by the run sponsors.

The three top male runners all averaged under seven-minute miles for the 5k which is slightly more than 3.11 miles.

The best time of 20:48 was turned in by Attila Kelman of New Jersey in the 40 to 49 age group. 

Second was Matthew Bridges of Crossville in the 20-29 age group with 21:24, and third was Boomer Freeman of Crossville in the 15-19 age group with 21:52.

The top three female runners all averaged under nine-minute miles.  Best time was Jessica Ebert in the 20-29 age group with 26:00, second was Ashley Kirhn in the 20-29 age group at 27:03 and third was Melanie Graham in the 40 to 49 age group at 27:17. All reside in Crossville.

Thirty men finished the race and 71 women completed it, including Hazel Bardash in the 70-79 age group.  She finished in 33:41.

To average 12-minute miles, runners needed to complete the course in 37:32.

“We’re pleased so many runners were able to achieve 12-minute miles.  It’s a tribute to their training and physical condition,” said Dee Dee Barnwell, program manager of the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complexes in Crossville and Fairfield Glade. 

“But speed is not the only reason for running in a 5k.  The other runners deserve credit for their perseverance in pushing through and finishing the run,” Barnwell said.  

Barnwell and Erica Vance were the chief administrators of the event. Entry proceeds from the race benefited the Relay for Life program of the American Cancer Society.

Male runners competed in eight age categories.

Besides the top three finishers, those averaging 12-minutes miles by category were:

Under age 10 — Cameron Parsons

Age 10-14 — Aaron Freeman and Dylan Wood

Age 15-19 — Chandler Reed and Chris Dayton

Age 20-29 — Brandon Elmore, Stacy Swafford, Jeremie Reece, Dale Blankenship, Jordan Walker, Matthew Wilson and Dylan Griffin.

Age 30-39 — Marcus Evans, Jason Madewell, and Anthony Phillips

Age 40-49 — Mike Kirkland, Keith Moerdyk, and Mike Kuenzer

Age 50-59 — Terry Walter

Age 60-69 — Jack Foster, Roger Brewer and Gerald Goodwin

Other male participants by age group were:

Age 20-29 — Larry Brown

Age 30-39 — David Sojka

Age 40-49 — Doug Hensley

Age 50-59 — Michael Ritzi, and Randy York

Female runners also competed in eight age categories.

Besides the top three finishers, those averaging 12-minutes miles by category were:

Age 10-14 — Kayla Whittenburg, Hannah Whittenburg, Jill Hassler, Ema Lee Parsons and Hannah Coffey

Age 15-19 — Grace Harrison, Blaklee Garrett and Katheryne Van Trump

Age 20-29 — Kristen Fort, Amanda Waldo, and Laura Gunter

Age 30-39 — Andrea Adams, Debra Evans, Crystal Blankenship, Ann Hatfield, Lori Buck, and Amy Johnson

Age 40-49 — Caroline Williams, Janet Moerdyk, Kristie Wyatt, Jennifer Alderman, Sara Farley, Cathy Dayton, Rachael Wyatt, Wendy Reed, Tami Kiser, Christy Dolinich, and Corrie Coffey

Age 50-59 — Pam Wilson, Laura Gilpin, Patty Staffs, and Connie Shadwell

Age 60-69 — Carolyn Emery, Sue Tatara, and Irene Blackburn

Age 70-79 — Hazel Bardash

Other female participants by age group were:

Age 15-19 — Kim Deck, Sara Loveday, and Carissa Burnett

Age 20-29 — Laura Stone, Sara Rector, Julia Griffin, Casey Sharp, Casey Scarberry, and Kelly Hall

Age 30-39 — Michelle Philips, Teresa Deck, Lori Myers, Shalee Sojka, and Trisha Burnett

Age 40-49 — Elise Dyer, Jessie Cagle, Rebecca Bristow, Gayla Hood, Tammy Sharp, Melissa McCoy, and Gail Kunish

Age 50-59 — Barbara Bridges, Pam Stubbs, Judy Houston, Judy York, Janet Burnett, Teresa Hayes, and Kathy Coleman

Age 60-69 — Jeanette Parsons, Carol Wilson, and Lillian Rubin

Age 70-79 — Martha Ford

In addition, five persons competed in a one-mile walk.

Curt Kiser of Crossville finished ahead of Kenneth Watson in the male division.

Ruby Bridge of Crossville finished ahead of Sara Kiser and Margaret Watson in the female division.

In addition to the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complexes, other organizations that sponsored or supported the event included:  Best One Tire, Crossville Rotary Club, Crossville Police Department, Cumberland County Cardiac Support Group, Cumberland County Rescue Squad and Junior Rescue Squad, Dean Headrick Insurance Agency, Elite Market, Elmore Designs, Exxon, First Bank of Tennessee, Fortes Restaurant, Highland Federal Savings and Loan, Jones Produce, J&S Portables, Mayfield’s Creamery, Mountain Farm International, Salon Solutions, Shadden Tire, Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee Vegetable Packers, and United Grocery Outlet.