Oktoberfest 10K

( Minster, OH, 10-05-08, By Matt McGowan) Boaz Cheboiywo from Kenya’s and a seven time All-America athlete at Eastern Michigan University returned for the 30th annual Oktoberfest 10km in an effort to set the course record and collect an extra $3,000. Boaz who won the race last year missed the record of 28:57 by six seconds, but with nearly perfect conditions, Cheboiywo ran all alone from the start and sprinted to the finish line in 28:54 to win the $500 overall prize money and the extra $3,000 for his new course record.

Oaklandon, Indiana’s Azzie Atmani (29:51) edged Perrysburg’s Matt Folk (29:54) and Canton’s Ryan Kienzle (29:57) to take home runner up honors. Athens’ Craig Leon (30:06) finished a close fourth. Ashland’s Nick Cordes (30:37) held of Cincinnati’s Donnie Warner and Oaklandon’s Jon Little who both finished in 30:40.

Bellbrook’s Ann Alyanak went to the lead early with Ashland’s Leigh Daniels giving chase. Alyanak and Daniels are both sponsored by Brooks and were teammates on the 2007 USATF Club National Cross Country Championship RUNOHIO/Second Sole Racing Team. Alyanak captured the top prize money with her 33:55 while Daniels finished second in 34:58 to win $300. Russia’s Oksana Khokhlova (35:16) and Russia’s Larisa Mikhaylova (35:59) finished next. New Breman’s Molly Watcke (36:20), Western Hills’ Karen Berling (36:34) and Dayton’s Katie Flaute (37:48) rounded out the top seven.

Russia’s Alexey Korobov (31:16) won the top master award while Cincinnati’s T. J. Lentz (32:09) took home runner up honors. Hilliard’s David Stroh (34:56) took the master bronze.

Shepherdsville, Kentucky’s Roberta Meyer (40:29) won the women’s master crown while Pendleton, Indiana’s Sherry Robertson (42:22) finished second and Columbus’ Barbara Wildermuth (42:37) finished third.

Maumee’s Donald Leck (35:48), Jackson’s George Sellers (36:02) and Holgate’s Douglas Ordway (36:13) captured the first three grand master awards.

Holgate’s Viola Ordaz (47:18) won the women’s grand master.

Stamping Ground, Kentucky’s Don Coffman turned in the fastest time of the year for a 65 and older runners as he hit the finish line in an impressive 38:21. Centerville’s Chris Thiele (42:34) took home the senior runner up award.

Van Wert’s Connie Hoverman (53:22) won the women’s senior gold.

Nearly 1,500 runners finished the 10km making it one of the largest and most competitive fall 10km in the Midwest. Many of the runners stayed to enjoy the Minster Oktoberfest activities including the popular parade.

Check out the results on - http://www.runohio.com/result and race pictures at - http://www.runohio.com/show/galleries

Keep up with all of the running in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, southern Michigan and western Pennsylvania - http://www.runohio.com