Runners take off from the starting line at the 2022 Wawasee Flotilla Road Race. Photos by Blair Baumgartner.

By Blair Baumgartner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The weather was perfect for the 4th of July Wawasee Flotilla Road Race. The race started at 8 am at The Syracuse Community Center and took runners on a journey around the Syracuse Lake area.

Runners competed in a 3.3-mile race and 8-mile race.

The men’s first place Male Overall finisher for the 3.3-mile race was Nick Kirkpatrick clocking in at 16:50.43. Evie Miller of Fort Wayne, was the 3.3-mile race Female Overall winner finishing in 19:06.78.

Kirkpatrick said, “It was a little more intimidating this year when I saw people with the super fast shoes. This is my fifth year running in this race and I just really enjoy it.”

Derek Miller of Fort Wayne, was the Male Overall winner for the 8-mile race clocking in at 41:58.52. Alexandria Moser of Carmel, was the Female Overall winner for the 8-mile race finishing in 57:59.07.

Miller said, “It was a super awesome morning to run. They changed up the course a little last year and now you run around Syracuse Lake. I’ve ran in this race since I was a sophomore in high school. I’m originally from Shipshewana.”

Moser said, “I’m just happy to be a part of it. I’ve been around this lake for many years but this is my first time running in the Flotilla race.”

Brian Shepherd, the race organizer and Male Masters winner said, “We had a nice turnout of about 250 runners. The competition is very good. It was a great morning to run.”

Jordan Shoemaker, third place finisher in the 8-mile Male 20-29 division said, “It was a hard race, but I enjoy running it every year. It’s probably one of the most brutal things I’ll ever do, but it’s worth it.”

The top place finishers for the 3.3-mile race were Brian Shepherd, Male Masters, 19:29.7; Nicole Geiger, Female Masters, 24:27.99; Jeff Dunitham/Daniel Dunitham, Male Grandmaster, 24:18.95; Linda Murkve, Female Grandmaster, 26:42.95; Justin Frericks, Male Senior Masters, 26:44.82; Resia Rinker, Female Senior Master, 28:04.07; Mason Worrell, Male 14 Under, 22:18.85; Trinity Parson, Female 14 Under, 23:49.10; Alec Moor, Male 15-19, 18:28.86; Elizabeth Christlieb, Female 15-19, 23:31.13; Maxwell Silcox, Male 20-29, 18:33.69; Yvette Rojas, Female 20-29, 19:42.35; Austen Davenport, Male 30-39, 17:47.10; Alexis Melbrod, Female 30-39, 22:44.95; Joey Brun, Male 40-49, 23:26.04; Cherelle Lampkins, Female 40-49, 25:07.10; James Hodge, Male 50-59, 24:57.09; Melissa Atwood, Female 50-59, 35:46.78; Phil Jeuks, Male 60-69, 31:34.46; Kristy Leffers, Female 60-69, 29:55.15; Robert Edwards, Male 70 Over, 43:11.59; Kathy Premmer, Female 70 Over, 46:05.78.

The top place finishers for the 8-mile race were F.G. Garcia, Male Masters, 47:57.52; Staci Weisser, Female Masters, 1:04:38.94; Joey Nelson, Male Grandmaster, 51:01.11; Veronica Moore, Female Grandmaster; Matt Leffers, Male Senior Masters, 1:18:14.84; Jenny Isenbarger, Female Senior Masters, 1:15:06.13;  Josiah Dyke, Male 15-19, 53:24.74; Joshua Urban, Male 20-29, 45:29.36; Mikayla Moore, Female 20-29, 1:36:20.44; Bryan Hazel, Male 30-39, 50:20.36; Carmen Catellier, Female 30-39, 1:07:58.48; Hemilo Garcia, Male 40-49, 52:05.28; Alvaro Romero, Male 50-59, 52:05.01; Jeffrey Rohleder, Male 60-69, 1:30:58.76; Jed Pearson, Male 70 Over, 1:07:05.05.