Evans C.R.'s top 8K finisher

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn-Mar junior Josh Evans was running the Alliant Energy Fifth Season 8K for just the second time Wednesday morning.

He recorded the fastest time by of a Cedar Rapids resident in 26 minutes, 26 seconds, which won the male 15-19 age group.

“Besides being a year older, I'm taller, faster, stronger, and more experienced,” Evans said. “All those things contributed to my performance today and I'm really proud of how I ran.”

Evans said he felt the full effects of the weather.

“Today was pretty rough because of the heat,” he said. “My plan was to start out conservatively and to build myself up for the second half. With how hot it was, I couldn't go out there and drain myself early.

“By taking it easy for those first few miles, I was saving energy and setting myself up to pour it on later. I felt really good after the first half and I knew I could kick it up a bit.”

Evans will continue to run cross country and track next school year for Linn-Mar. He was third in the 1,600 and seventh in the 3,200 at this spring's state track meet. He was second in the state cross country meet last fall.

5K winners

David Crompton of and Hanna Kregel, both of Iowa City, were the top finishers in Wednesday's 5K in the Cedar Valley Running Association Fifth Season Races.

Crompton was the top male in 16 minutes, 53 seconds, and Kregel posted the top female finish in 20 minutes, 43 seconds.

Finishers in the 5K totaled 672.

8K tidbits

Some notable accomplishments in the Alliant Energy 8K:

• Matt Gabrielson of St. Louis Park, Minn., was the top U.S. male finisher in 24.29. The top U.S. female finisher was Mckenzie Melander of Apple Valley, Minn., in 27:08.

• Top Iowa finishers were Drew Burnahl of Brandon in 25:41, and Erin Moeller of Mount Vernon in 28:48.

• Top masters finishers were John Mirth, 50, of Platteville, Wis., in 27:57, and Sheryl Miller, 49, of Coralville, in 33:04.

• Top grand masters were Phil Kauder, 51, of Cascade, in 30:50, and Karen Martin, 50, of Lisbon, in 36:29.

Total number of 8K finishers was 899.