The Northeast Christian Academy 5K in Ripley

Several Spartans participated in the NCA 5K in Ripley on Saturday morning. It was a rainy morning and somewhat cool at the beginning, but right before the race began, the rain stopped. Several runners set a new PR (personal record) and it was a fun race.

Alec crossed the finish line with his new PR -- 25:16:29 -- way to go, Alec! Alec placed 3rd in his age division. He was beat out by the lightning quick Brandon and Macain. Kirsten, also, had a new PR -- 27:12:12 -- her previous best was 30:30. We are so proud of her! She also placed 2nd in her age group and she was ecstatic. Only Martha beat her and that is saying something about Kirsten's race today. She usually doesn't place in her age division because this is a tough group of competitors. Even I set a new PR -- 32:28:09 -- my previous best was 37:07. In the process, I won first place in my age division, and that has never happened before. I have placed 2nd before, but only when there are only two people in my age group. This time there were at least two others who placed behind me. These two things (my time and placing) are so encouraging to me and now I have the mindset that I have to keep running and improving my times.

The Spartans did us all proud. Everyone placed in the top six in their age groups.

Maggie -- 38:11:23, 1st place.

Brandon -- 23:50:71, 1st place; Macain -- 23:58:44, 2nd place; Alec -- 25:16:29, 3rd place; Mark -- 28:43:00, 4th place.

Martha -- 27:00:91. 1st place; Kirsten -- 27:12:12, 2nd place; Hannah -- 28:54:16, 3rd place; Claire -- 29:37:84, 4th place; Sarah -- 30:37:52, 5th place; Margaret -- 31:04:44, 6th place.

Tyler -- 23:58:99, 1st place; Richard -- 31:25:43, 2nd place.

Lisa (Brandon and Claire's mom) -- 29:53:37, 1st place. Her previous PR was 34:something.

Julie (Kirsten and Alec's mom) -- 32:29:09, 1st place.

Yonea (mother of 9) -- 32:33:81, 2nd place and new PR.