Runners Pound Pavement for 5K Run

On a beautiful Saturday morning, more than 200 people took to the streets for the fourth-annual Enumclaw Street Fair 5K Run.

The participants were all of ages and abilities, ranging from competitive runners to moms pushing strollers.

The creation of this event was sparked by a couple of women with a passion for running. Four years ago, fair co-chairs Jaclyn Van Hoof and Rene Popke made the decision to add a race to the fair's festivities. 

Saturday, both said they were pleased with how the event has evolved over the past four years.

"This is very family friendly; we have people out walking with their dogs," Van Hoof said. "It's a great event."

Cory Johnson, a cross-country runner and senior this fall at Enumclaw High School, took first overall in the 5K in 17 minutes, 31.09 seconds.

"It was fun and a good race for the conditions," Johnson said. "I'm also getting ready for cross country in the fall so I wanted to try and get a 5K in."

Carissa Gwerder, a 2010 Enumclaw graduate who now runs cross country at Northern Arizona University, won the female division with in 20:37.04. Gwerder said she used the race as a gauge to see where she is in preparation for the upcoming college season.

"I really wasn't trying to take it all out," she said. "I just wanted to keep a steady pace, and push myself."

As each runner crossed the finish line, they received a goody bag from race sponsors that uncluded water and a frisbee from Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.