Blahnik wins River City Ramble

Red Wing’s Bryant Blahnik won the River City Ramble Saturday in Red Wing.

Blahnik, a former Red Wing High School standout runner and current University of Missouri cross-country runner, finished the 5-kilometer course in 15 minutes, 28.6 seconds – nearly two minutes better than his nearest competitor.

Minneapolis resident Matt Ferris finished second in 17:04 and Minneapolis resident Mark Lind took third in 17:18.53.

Four Red Wing residents took the next four spots with Richie Mark placing fourth in 17:28.62. Recent Red Wing High School graduate Christian Leitner took fifth in 17:29.85 while Red Wing junior Aiden Winn finished sixth in 18:34.83 and Max Christensen took seventh in 18:36.62.

Age group winners included Tori Leitner, who won the 10 and under girls race in 30:45.34, Ashley Knowlton, who won the girls 11-14 group in 30:19.12. Cannon Falls’ Emi Trost won the 15-19 age group in 21:04.41 and finished 25th overall.

Bloomington’s Melissa McLeish had the highest women’s finish in 19:44.78 and placed 13th overall.

Mary Jane Lund won the women’s 20-29 age group in 20:03.11, Wendy Christopherson won the 40-49 group in 22:14.42, Barb Peloquin won the 50-59 age group in 28:56.57, Francine Lepage won the 60-69 group in 26:31.47 and Delores Pittman won the 70-plus category in 37:19.62.

Robby Samuelson won the 10 and under boys division in 27:30.65. In the 11-14 group, Jack Barlow won in 20:41.08, Blahnik won the 15-19 age group, Mark won the 20-29 age category, Rob Samuelson finished first in the 30-39 group, James Chalmers won the 40-49 group in 22:26.04, Joe Broze won the 50-59 category in 18:54.08, Ron Trussell won the 60-69 group in 21:37.13 and 78-year-old Mohammad Moshfeghi won the 70-plus group in 27:31.87.

Tags: sports, cross-country, proam