NORTH WEBSTER – While the Dixie sternwheeler was on parade as the show piece of the Dixie Days celebration, Saturday’s Dixie Days 5K opened the excitement on the streets of North Webster.

Taking honors as the overall winner was Cedar Rapids, Ia., resident Marty Klipp, who conquered the road course at 17:17, running a 5:35 pace. Klipp needed all the pace he could get as North Webster’s own Luke Griner was right on his heels. The 13-year-old was running a 5:36 pace but could not catch the 38-year-old Klipp on the final stretch, finishing at 17:22 to take second overall. Jaxon Bame of Pierceton (17:33), Bryan Starcench of Bremen (17:54) and Bailey Watkins of Bourbon (19:03) rounded out the male top five.

Winning the female competition was local girl Stephanie Rhodes of Pierceton, completing the race at 23:13, a 7:29 pace. A race for second place had Patricia Shoemaker of North Manchester running among a large set of overall racers to the line. Shoemaker crossed at 24:24, three seconds better than Larwill’s Stephanie Wilson. Christy Troutman of North Webster (25:13) and Katie Close of Muncie (25:31) finished up the female top five.

The Dixie Days 5K had 87 runners complete the race. Run KRA hosted the chip timing for the race, and have the complete results on its website.