NILES — More than 300 runners and walkers competed in the Niles Frigid 5K Saturday.

The 5K run was won by Justin Kowalski, who was the runner-up in 2017.

Kowalski, who is still recovering from a broken rib suffered last year, ran a time of 17:23.06. He said his time was a bit slower than last year because of his conditioning, and the fact that the course had some icy spots.

“The course was really icy in spots, so I had to be really careful,” Kowalski said. “It was probably a minute slower than I wanted to go. I have run up to 152 miles a week, but right now I am around 80 because I broke a rib right before Thanksgiving. So, I started running again right around Christmas. I am at 100 percent, but my fitness level is just not there yet because I have only been running for a couple of weeks.”

Paul Johnson was second with a time of 17:39.54, while Shane Paursch was third with a 17:45.65, Ralph Nurse fourth with a 18:11.33 and Matthew Morrow fifth in the men’s race and sixth overall with an 18:57.53.

Peyton Witt was the first female across the finish line with a time of 18:41.95, which gave her fifth place overall.

Liesl Muehlhauser, the two-time defending race champion, was second in the women’s race and eighth overall with a time of 19:01.67.

“It was about perfect,” Muehlhauser said about the weather conditions. “You had to watch your footing and that you do not fall. It is not worth falling. We run all year, so it is good to stay motivated and to keep training with events like this.”

Erin Lafrenz was third with a time of 20:45.10, Kyra Young fourth with a time of 20:59.29 and Amanda Witt fifth with a time of 21:01.28.

Cassopolis’ Amy Adams, a senior at Ross Beatty Jr.-Sr. High School, finished sixth in the women’s race and 22nd overall with a time of 21:26.66.

“It was fun,” said Adams, who has competed in three of the Frigid 5K races. “It was pretty ice, but there were enough clear spots to run on. Racing is one of my favorite part of running and this is one of my favorite 5Ks.”

FRIGID 5K

At Niles

5K run

Overall male run finisher

Justin Kowalski 17:23:06

Overall female run finisher

Peyton Witt 17:23.06

Age Division winners

1-9 male: Talan Yeager 29:38.58; 1-9 female: Madison Huss 24:10.50; 10-14 male: Nathan Brooks 24:10.50; 10-14 female: Mikaela Cowgill 24:24.32; 15-19 male: Shane Paursch 17:45.65; 15-19 female: Erin Lafrenz 20:45.10; 20-24 female Claire Jones 26:44.43; 25-29 male: Matthias Bares 19:12.46; 25-29 female: Amanda Witt 21:01.28; 30-34 male: Paul Johnson 17:39.54; 30-34 female: Liesl Muehlhauser 19:01.67; 35-39 male: Matthew Morrow 18:57.53; 35-39 female: Stacie Gallagher 22:23.12; 40-44 male: Ralph Nurse 18:11.33; 40-44 female: Gina Anderson 234:03.14; 45-49 male: Craig VanRenterghem 19:47.61; 45-49 female: Kim Wininger 26:10.74; 50-54 male: Dana Neer 19:44.58; 50-54 female: Crickett Gibbons 28:23.53; 55-59 male: Ruben Falcon 20:37.11; 55-59 female: Claudia Shumaker 27:4099; 60-64 male: Gary Haga 21:22.53; 60-64 female: Jean Storm 26:10.57; 65-69 male: Arvil Howe 26:42.30; 65-69 female: Jill Howard 37:20.50; 70-74 male: Tom Hutmacher 28:55.08; 70-74 female: Sandy Jackson 35:13.16.

5K Walk

Overall male walk finisher

Mitch Martindale 53:44.55

Overall female walk finisher

Pamela Behm 40:39.59

Age division winners

1-99 male: Pete Coryell 57:17.73; 1-99 female: Sarah Posey 44:32.99.

MTT 5K

Overall male walk finisher

Douglas Babcock 31:50.00

Overall female walk finisher

Johannah Hernandez 31:44.99

Age division winner

1-99 male: Tyler Schramm 31:50.00.