Published: November 03, 2009 03:22 pm      

Record numbers compete in ECU Homecoming race

ADA — A record 122 road racers and walkers along with a good crowd of friends and family braved the chilly weather Saturday morning for the traditional 3.1 mile East Central University Homecoming Run. 

The cool weather set up perfect race conditions on the hilly oval track around historical Wintersmith Park. The race seemed to set a great tone for a fun day of celebration of Homecoming events in ECU’s centennial year.

Many were out to visit with old friends, take a little jog or walk not to mention the usual competitive runners that wanted a medal and a good race time. The six high school cross country teams from southern Oklahoma helped make the event so large as well as first-time 5k event participants.

A lead pack separated quickly from the start near Wintersmith Lodge with many of the high school cross country runners from all over southern Oklahoma leading the way. The lead pack kept just over a 6-minute mile pace throughout the race and in the end 25 year old local runner Matt Folsom led the way with a 19:33. 

Bradley Butler finished right behind him for a second overall placing with a 19:34 followed by Brian DeAngelis with a 19:45 time in third.

The top female runner in the event was Ada native and ECU Alum Breanna Graham with a time of 23:12. The second overall female runner was Randi Collins-Estes with a 24:47 followed by Rena Tiger at 26:07.