RIPTON — A huge crowd turned out to celebrate the 25th annual Ripton Ridge Run on Oct. 7. A record 230 people took part in the 5K run, fun walk and 10K run. Fifteen children participated in the “Kids’ Race” and dozens of volunteers and friends were also on hand.
The Bud Leeds Ensemble provided music, giving the day a particularly festive atmosphere and, since the weather also cooperated, it was a banner day.
Peter Schneider, 37, of Shelburne won the 10.4 K race with a time of 39:29.7, followed about a minute later by 35-year-old Damian Bolduc of South Burlington at 40:47.3. Robert Whalen, 51, from Tarrytown, N.Y., was third at 42:39.9.
Nicole Wilkerson, 41, of Middlebury won the women’s 10K for the second year in a row. Her time was 45:42.7. Ripton’s Cameron Wright, 21, was the next woman across the finish line with a time of 49:59.2; her former Ripton schoolmate Mary Stewart, 25, was third at 51:20.5.
Addison County men swept the 5K. Sixteen-year-old Max Moulton of Middlebury crossed the finish line first in a time of 17:31. Garrott Kuzzy, 29, from Lincoln was next at 17:59 with Cornwall’s Sawyer Hescock, 17, in third at 18:17. Ann Carson, 51, of Wiscasset, Maine, set the pace for women, coming in at 22:55. She was followed by Julia Vorsteveld, 15, of Bridport at 23:11 and 14-year-old Sophie Hodges from Cornwall 31 seconds later.
During the awards ceremony following lunch, special recognition was made of the sponsors, volunteers and runners who have been long-time supporters of the Ridge Run, a fundraiser for the Ripton Elementary School. Singled out for over 20 years of support were Forth ’N Goal Sports, The National Bank of Middlebury and Foster Motors.
Tony Bates, Brian Phinney and Andy McIntosh were among those on hand who had been in the first Ridge Run 25 years ago; many other multi-year participants were also acknowledged. Long-time volunteers Jane Phinney, Mia Allen, Barry and Warren King, Carrie Herzog and Steve Zwicky were among many local people saluted for their years of hard work that makes the Ridge Run the success it has become.
The top 5 finishers in each event, with their place, name, town, age and time, were:
MEN’S 5K
1. Max Moulton, Middlebury, 16, 17:31.5.
2. Garrott Kuzzy, Lincoln, 29, 17:59.3.
3. Sawyer Hescock, Cornwall, 17, 18:17.7.
4. Ian Lynch, Shoreham, 22, 19:31.7.
5. Micah Lynch, Shoreham, 17, 19:42.4.
WOMEN’S 5K
1. Ann Carson, Wiscasset, Maine, 51, 22:55.1.
2. Julia Vorsteveld, Bridport, 15, 23:11.4.
3. Sophie Hodges, Cornwall, 14, 23:42.7.
4. Sarah Ingersoll, Middlebury, 47, 24:33.8.
5. Mary Jensen, Middlebury, 17, 25:09.4.
MEN’S 10K
1. Peter Schneider, Shelburne, 37, 39:29.7.
2. Damian Bolduc, South Burlington, 35, 40:47.3.
3. Robert Whalen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 51, 42.39.9.
4. Phil Oldham, Lincoln, 44, 43:32.9.
5. Adam Portz, Waltham, 35, 45:05.6.
WOMEN’S 10K
1. Nicole Wilkerson, Middlebury, 41, 45:42.7.
2. Cameron Wright, Ripton, 21, 49:59.2.
3. Mary Stewart, Stowe, 25, 51:20.5.
4. Jennifer Moltz, Rochester, 23, 51:47.0.
5. Naomi Hodde, Cornwall, 40, 54:13.5.
Complete results can be found online at http://coolrunning.com/results/12/vt/Oct7_Ripton_set1.shtml.