VALPARAISO MINI-MARATHON

VALPARAISO | Over 500 runners, walkers and even a stroller took to the streets of Valparaiso on Sunday morning for the 3rd Annual Valparaiso Mini-Marathon.

The course, which ran just over 13 miles, was filled with both residents of Northwest Indiana and participants from eight other states during beautiful race conditions.

Kacey Carr, a junior from Olivet Nazarene University, won the marathon in 1 hour, 8:35 minutes and in turn accomplished his goal of qualifying for the NAIA National Marathon next month in Fresno, Calif. Dana Coons of Chicago was the top female and finished 13th overall at 1:21:13.

"This was just a perfect day for the race, the weather was great, the course was exceptional," Carr said. "This was my first one and now I'm looking forward to the marathon in a couple of weeks."

Karen Nagel finished third among women this year, up two spots from fifth a year ago with a time of 1:26:34. Nagel is known as one of the best runners in the area and is coming off a win in last week's Ringing In Spring 5K run.

"I'm not really happy with the time I had today, but I am happy with the place," Nagel said. "I was checking the paper all week for the weather, but it really turned out beautiful today."

With the exception of a strong north wind, many of the runners had nothing but compliments for a race that is still in its infant stages including Chicago's Robbie Wade, who took second (1:10:26) despite not getting to see the course before he started running.

"I've run a few of these before, but this is my first outside Chicago," Wade said. "What a well-organized event, I dare say better organized than many in a much bigger city."

The race kicked off at 7:30 in the morning and just under two hours later, the youngest member of the field crossed the finish line when 5-year old Bobby Emery's stroller rolled to a stop. Bob Emery pushed his son for the second year and finished in 1:58:33.

"You know, I used to think that Valpo was flat, but try pushing this stroller (13 miles) and it gets mighty difficult," Emery said. "It's good having an inspiration to cheer you up those hills."