Sheri Harrell is no stranger to running at Brandywine High School.

But what she experienced Saturday gave a lift to her spirits.

The 47-year old Harrell was the top female runner at the Eighth Annual Cat Tracks 5k Run/Walk.

Harrell, who’s a Brandywine High School graduate who competed in cross country and track at the school, finished first with a time of 23:05.

Harrell has run in the race all eight years and it marked the first time she won the event.

“I didn’t know I was in the lead until a half mile remained and everyone told me I was the leader,” said Harrell, who lives only a mile and a half away from the high school.

“I just had fun. I like this race. It supports our local school.”

Running is perfect medicine for Harrell.

“It relieves stress and I like to get our there in the fresh air and have fun,” Harrell said.

The top male runner wasn’t as familiar with the Brandywine course.

Elliott Hanke, who will be a junior this fall at Bridgman High School, ran in the event for the only the second time and he placed first Saturday with a time of 18:26.

“I didn’t do very well last year,” said the 16-year old Hanke, who competes in cross country and track at Bridgman. “I think running this year during the summer helped me. I didn’t run that much last year. I like running. It’s something I’m good at and prefer to do. It’s more or less a family sport. Everyone is in their own little group and it’s fun to run.”

Was winning on Saturday important to Hanke?

“I don’t think it’s important to win,” Hanke said. “I think it’s important to have fun and do your best.”

Garry Zacharski was the top male in the 5K walk. He finished with a time of 42:42

Mindy Flowers-Daisy was the top female in the 5K walk. She ended up with a clocking of 35:50.

The Cat Tracks 5K is a fundraising event sponsored by the Brandywine Foundation in partnership with the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. Proceeds from the race will go towards more technology devices, like laptops, for Brandywine High School students.

 

 

Male

Overall 5K run winner

Elliott Hanke 18:26

Age division winners

6-under

Ben Ratner 58:42

7-10

Mason Young 32:02

11-14

Ryan Hruskovich 24:37

15-19

Elliott Hanke 18:26

20-24

Matthew Knapper 31:38

25-29

Nick Shelton 22:57

30-34

Matthew Morrow 19:26

35-39

Evan Winkler 21:45

40-44

John Horvath 19:49

45-49

Craig Hanke 19:11

50-54

Trent Sahafer 23:30

55-59

Marlin Howe 22:30

60-64

Neal Wozniak 24:04

65-69

Richard Lauer 23:11

70-older

Robert Husek 34:06

 

Female

Overall 5K run winner

Sheri Harrell 23:05

Age division winners

6-under

Taryn Swank 50:10

7-10

Jenna Noland 31:00

11-14

Lexi Raab 30:59

15-19

Jaleesa Garner 26:53

20-24

Emily Low 27:36

25-29

Michelle Sedlar 27:28

30-34

Rachael Storm 27:37

35-39

Trisha Clingaman 30:02

40-44

Courtney Whitney 30:34

45-49

Sheri Harrell 23:05

50-54

Sheila Witous 30:24

55-59

Brenda Wozniak 29:14

60-64

Kathryn Crouch 42:13

 

Male

Overall 5K walk winner

Garry Zacharski 42:42

Age division winners

25-29

Michael Peters 1:08.26

30-34

Ryan Candler 52:27

45-49

Michael Carey 47:19

50-54

Tim Bagby 53:14

60-64

John Jarpe 59:27

 

Female

Overall 5K walk winner

Mindy Flowers-Daisy 35:50

Age division winners

7-10

Maddix Roberts 49:53

11-14

Gwen Schimmel 43:02

15-19

Chelsie Luczkowski 42:25

20-24

Kelsey Breiler 52:44

25-29

Elizabeth Eull 1:08.30

35-39

Brieanne Dehart 44:51

40-44

Jennifer Detweiler 41:52

45-49

Monica Schmidt 46:32

50-54

Sandy Gentry 45:27

55-59

Donna Wisemore 49:54

60-64

Deb Carter 44:43