Perfect day for a race at MCSP

Amanda York, Evening World
·2 min read

Saturday, April 23, may have been the perfect day for a race at McCormick’s Creek State Park. With sunny skies, morning temperatures in the 60s, and trees and wildflowers in bloom, runners and walkers took their place at the starting line. There were a record number of 303 race entries for the Friends of McCormick’s Creek 5K Run/Walk. Proceeds from the race are used for park improvements, projects, research and activities, one of the largest being the recent fire tower restoration.

Caleb Winders winning the race.
Caleb Winders winning the race.

Just 19 minutes and 36 seconds after the starting pistol fired, Caleb Winders crossed the finish line to win the run division of the 2022 Friends of McCormick’s Creek 5K with a pace of 6:18. This certainly wasn’t Caleb’s first time to give it his all in this race. At 6 years old, in 2014, Caleb ran the race with his mother Jennifer Winders turning in an impressive pace of 9:27. Tre’ Bower took second place overall in the run division Saturday with a time of 20:29. Fourteen-year-old Maddie Graber won the 5K run for the women with a time of 21:05. Seasoned runner Jill Vance came in second for the women with a time of 22:18.

Maddie Graber finishing the race as the first female runner.
Maddie Graber finishing the race as the first female runner.
Damon Clements finishing the race as the first male walker.
Damon Clements finishing the race as the first male walker.

Equally impressive were Saturday’s walk division times. Damon Clements finished as the first walker with a time of 31:21. Tina Hall was the first female walker with a time of 32:47. Dan Leach was the second male walker with a time of 34:44 and Natalie Myers was the second female, crossing the finish line in 40:24.

Tina Hall finishing the race as the first female .
Tina Hall finishing the race as the first female .

The Friends of McCormick’s Creek would like to thank the staff and management of McCormick’s Creek State Park, the many dedicated race volunteers, and the following sponsors.

Gold Sponsors: Owen County State Bank, Boston Scientific, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Silver Sponsors: Green Dental, Hoosier Energy, Sweet Owen Convention & Visitors Bureau

Bronze Sponsors: RE/MAX, Crane Credit Union, The Home Team, Commercial Service, Friends of MYPath, Canyon Inn, Nite Owl Promotions, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Babbs Supermarket, McDonalds

Overall and Age Group winners for walk included James Hert, Natalie Myers, Damon Clements, Dan Leach, Tina Hall and Reece Waggoner.
Overall and Age Group winners for walk included James Hert, Natalie Myers, Damon Clements, Dan Leach, Tina Hall and Reece Waggoner.

Planning is already underway for the next Friends of McCormick’s Creek race. On Sunday, September 18, 2022, Run to the Creek will offer a 5K walk/run and a 10K run. The start time is 2:00 p.m. and packet pickup begins at 1:00 p.m. This race will utilize a variety of trails and service roads for a scenic and challenging course. Anyone wishing to sponsor the race is asked to contact . Runners and walkers may register now at https://friendsmccormickscreek.org/fallrace.

Overall and age group winners for the run include, front row, from left, Tre’ Bower, Maddie Graber, Caleb Winders, Ray Byrne, Becca Patterson and Lila Pierce. Back row: Justin Graham, Kyle Massey, Cheryl Massey, Izzy Hooper, Mel Howard, Joanne Allee, Staci Fiddler and Kathy Hammel.
Overall and age group winners for the run include, front row, from left, Tre’ Bower, Maddie Graber, Caleb Winders, Ray Byrne, Becca Patterson and Lila Pierce. Back row: Justin Graham, Kyle Massey, Cheryl Massey, Izzy Hooper, Mel Howard, Joanne Allee, Staci Fiddler and Kathy Hammel.

This article originally appeared on Evening World: Perfect day for a race at MCSP