Ethiopian men's 8K winner

CEDAR RAPIDS - On a warm Fourth of July morning, Ethiopian runner Alene Reta paced the field on the way to a victory in the men's division of the Alliant Energy 8K race.

Reta, a 30-year-old from Ethiopia, ran near the front of the pack most of the race Wednesday and finished as the male and overall winner with a time of 23 minutes, three seconds. Hassan Mead, a University of Minnesota runner from Somalia, was second in 23:12.

In a race that featured a crowded lead group, Reta was able to execute his race plan.

“I want to be near the lead at all times during a race, setting my own pace and pushing the others,” Reta said. “I was able to do that today and came away with a win.”

Despite the 7 a.m. start, it was relatively warm with the temperature at 76 degrees, according to KCRG-TV9. The heat obviously took its toll on runners. Reta's time was 30 seconds slower than what last year's winner, Macdonard Ondara, recorded.

“I haven't run this race in a few years, and today was very tough,” Reta said. “The heat was hard to overcome, but it was the same for everyone.

“I've also been bothered by a stress fracture recently but my legs felt great, (and) I had no problems. I look forward to running again within the next couple of weeks, possibly at the Crazy 8's 8K in Tennessee.”

Other notable male finishers included former Wartburg runner Josh Moen, who was 14th in 25:01. Linn-Mar junior Josh Evans recorded the best time for a Cedar Rapids runner with a 22nd-place finish in 26:26.

Here are some partial results (for full results visit www.fifthseasonrace.com):

8K

Men

Overall – Alene Reta, Hassan Mead, Marofit Mourad, Samuel Ndereba, Edward Tabut, Lemech Mokona, Robert Wamua, John Itati, Matt Gabrielson, Festus Kigen

15-19 – Josh Evans, Luke Karamitros, Jacob Aune, Mitchell Pritts, Preston Kauder

20-24 – Hillary Bor, Ryan Jacobs, Tyler Sullivan, John Rawerts, Austin Tegels

25-29 – Festus Kigen, Philip Lagat, Abraham Rutto, Richard Kandie, Phil Young

30-34 – David Tuwei, Mike Nordberg, Gregg Hennigan, Cary Richey, John Hackbarth

35-39 – John Itati, Vic Morales, Mark Ironside, Mark Johnson, Chris Waterbury

40-44 – Andrew Kauder, Brett Stephenson, Kent Miskimen, David Julian, Jason Hahn

45-49 – Ditlev Larson, Willis Harte, Michael Kabela, Michael Hughes, Marty Gingerich

50-54 – Greg Skopec, Robert Hartkemeyer, Jeff Neitert, John Swails, Randy Brecht

Women

Overall – Diane Nukuri-Johnson, Pauline Mutwa, Chemtai Rionotukei, Mckenzie Melander, Emily Brown, Natasha Labeaud, Amy Van ALstine, Michelle Frey, Mary Akor, Erin Moeller

 5K

Men

David Crompton, Matt Stocker, Tyler Sullivan, Nick Lee, Michael Kabela, Ryan Walker, Luke Gallaway, Jonathon Rockwell, Brent Estrem, Jekow Olieny

Women

Hannah Kregel, Lacey Worth, Reagan Gorman, Ali Hines, Beth Heims, Toni Aucutt, Chris Evans, Natalie Luse, Madison Stuckenschneider, Morgan Stuckenschneider

Watch for updates later this aftenoon