Runners hit the streets as Cereal City Classic feels 'normal' again
Two years ago, due to COVID concerns, there was no cereal and no run when it came to Battle Creek's annual Cereal Festival.
Last year, there was a run, but no cereal.
Now, everything is back in the bowl.
Runners were able to compete in the Cereal City Classic early Saturday and then jog on over to the Cereal Fest in downtown to enjoy the goods in what has been traditionally called the "World's Longest Breakfast Table." Organizers for both events have fought through the challenges of the last few years brought on by the pandemic and came out the other side to celebrate Battle Creek's premiere event once again.
"It was good to see the tables set up downtown again," said Jill Hinde, CEO of the Battle Creek YMCA. "It's great to see the breakfast table back. As we all know, it has been an interesting couple of years. But this year feels the most normal yet. I think people were excited last year to turn out. but we are seeing this year the most pre-registrants we have seen in the last couple of years. We have a great crowd and everybody seems excited."
Heading downtown after the race for some free cereal with a first place medal was Ethan Saylor, 18, of Dowagiac who took first overall in the 10K in a time of 35:38.7
The top female finisher in the 10K was Kayla Kane of Battle Creek in a time of 45:43.
"Now, I'm heading out to get some cereal. Kellogg's is one my favorite cereals," Saylor said.
There was a 10K and a 5K event at the Cereal City Classic. With a staggered start, and the 10K starting first, the winners of both runs crossed the finish line at the same time.
Lakeview High School standout Aiden Moore, 15, won the 5K in 15:38.7. Leslie Scheffers, 57, of Portage was the top female runner in the 5K at 21:29.
"I saw him when I came down the hill right before the turnaround and I thought, maybe I can catch him and I picked up the pace," Moore said of the 10K winner. "I caught him with a half-mile to go and we ran in together. With about 200 to go, I was saying, let's go race and I think that helped my time.
"This was a race, growing up, that I thought it would be cool to win it one day. Today I won it. I am surprised I did so well because I have taken a week break since high school season, laying low, but I liked how I ran today."
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
2022 Cereal City Classic Results
Age-group placers
5K Run
Male 14-under: Parker Miller, 18:41; Cooper Gardner, 18:53
Female 14-under: Ruthie Howes, 22:31; A. Patterson, 24:50
Male 15-19: Cody Richard, 21:09; Marco Rodriguez, 25:13
Female 15-19: Mary Saylor, 23:27; Olivia Bell, 29:39
Male 20-29: Alex Saylor, 16:25; Trey White, 19:20
Female 20-29: Corrin Schreyer, 25:21; Shelby Mize, 26:01
Male 30-39: Michael Reynolds, 18:54; Ross Hughes, 19:26
Female 30-39: Nicole Perry, 27:39; Rosario Uribe, 30:30
Male 40-49: Jason Alday, 19:34; Dan Bergan, 20:01
Female 40-49: Sarah Saylor, 23:09; Sarah Pennock, 24:48
Male 50-59: Terri Page, 27:31; Jim Robinson, 28:43
Female 50-59: Mary Faber, 21:56; Emilia Marton, 29:46
Male 60-69: Bill Maddock, 27:42; Tim Titus, 28:16
Female 60-69: Kathy Farrow, 25:39; Renee Mercer, 31:12
Male 70-over: Lawrence Forsythe, 26:10; Ray Hendriksma, 33:38
Female 70-over: Sue Hopkins, 31:34; Lina Vaughan, 43:13
10K run
Male 15-19: Angel Ramos, 44:04
Male 20-29: Andrew Messescar, 56:10; Paul Franchina, 56:11
Female 20-29: Paige Dredge, 1:05.35; Brandi Luedecking, 1:11.36
Male 30-39: Oliver Thang, 44:26; Michael Kersjes, 44:27
Female 30-39: Kjersten Sullivan, 48:49; Kelli Wilson, 59:53
Male 40-49: Nathen Santner, 41:09; Matthew Kolodzieczyk, 51:08
Female 40-49: Heather McGowan, 53:35; Lori Cain, 1:02.38
Male 50-59: Darrin Costello, 46:49; Patrick Farrell, 48:58
Female 50-59: Bonnie Sexton, 56:40; Franyate Taylor, 1:01.03
Male 60-69: Mark Sigfrids, 59:59; Gary Sohl, 1:00.07
Female 60-69: Michele Ketelhut, 1:02.59; Bernadette Millar, 1:09.20
Male 70-over: Robert Stocker, 1:37.11
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Runners hit the streets as Cereal City Classic feels 'normal' again
