SAND ROCK — Under clear skies, the Run the Rock 5-K race was contested on the challenging out-and-back course surrounding the town limits last Saturday.   

Wes Neyman, coming off a strong performance at last month’s Terrapin Tri-County Adventure Race, took the early lead and paced the field through the first two plus miles. Neyman grudgingly surrendered the lead to Paul Froom and Sand Rock native Matt Cole just past the two-mile mark.  

Cole bested Froom in a sprint to the finish in front of a hometown crowd at the Sand Rock Town Hall. Cole established the course record on the testy course layout with a time of 20 minutes, 58 seconds. Froom’s recorded a final mark of 21:02, with Neyman third overall at 21:35.   

Lori Tippets cruised to the women’s win in 23:55. Constance Goodwin and Julianne Fleming were second and third overall, respectively. 

Men’s awards were presented in the following age groups: 11-15 Dylan Fletcher (first place), Jack Boyd (second), Kade Stimpson (third), 16-20 Tyler Garmony (first), Andrew Cole (second), Brandon Gillian (third); 21-25 Jud Kisor (first), Joshua Robinson (second); 26-30 Wes Higgins (first); 31-35 Jason Cole (first), Steven Chesnut (second), Eric Fuller (third); 36-40 Kevin Garnett (first); 41-45 Bubba Boyd (first), Mark Johnson (second), Lee Benefield (third); 46-50 Kurt Duryea (first); 51-54 Randy Smith (first), Wayne Tucker (second), Mike Satterfield (third). 

Women’s awards were presented in the following age groups: 11-15 Macy Haney (first), 16-20 Kaley McIntyre (first), Katie Pearson (second), Julia Daniel (third); 21-25 Ashley Beck (first); 26-30 Lindsey Oliver (first), 31-35 Christa Neyman (first); 36-40 Christy Benefield (first), Rhonda Grimes (second); 41-45 Lisa Dowdy (first), Delbra Adams (second), April Green (third); 46-50 Sandi Wolf (first); 51-55 Tammy Fleming (first), Doilene Frasier (second); 56-60 Ellen Cannon (first) . 

Jim Tom Stimpson directed the race, which also featured a two-mile fitness walk. Proceeds from the race benefit the Sand Rock Baptist Church Youth Summer Mission Trip.