Hundreds Compete in Lake Sara Dam Run

Hundreds competed Saturday in the 21st Annual Lake Sara Dam Run, sponsored by area Illinois State Police officers, active and retired, to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Organizer Ruth Rhodes said there were 769 participants this year; over 100 in the Half Marathon, over 100 in the 8-Mile Run, 200 5K walkers, and the remainder in the 5K Run.

In the 5K Run, 20-year-old Brennan Guido was the overall winner in 17:21. His mother, 42-year-old Michelle Guido, was the top overall women's winner in 20:55.

14-year-old John Westendorf finished second overall and won the boy's 10 to 19-year-old division in 18:52. 

31-year-old Joseph Verdeyen won the Men's 30-39 division and finished seventh overall in 21:13. 40-year-old Gregg Sparks won the Men's 40-49-year-old division and finished 12th overall in 22:17.

29-year-old Darren Will finished first in Men's 20-29 and 13th overall in 22:22. 25-year-old Ann Bushur won Women's 20-29 and finished 18th overall in 23:39.

12-year-old Aila Laird won the Girl's 10-19 division and finished 19th overall in 23:53. 61-year-old Doug Messmore won the Men's 60-69 and finished 28th overall in 24:59.

In the 8-Mile Run, 38-year-old Mark Merkel was the winner in 48:13, followed by Jonathan Braden, Bryce Fitch, Drew Hanfland, Nick Weidnam, Jordan Coleman, Josh Kreke, Matthew Cremens, Megan McDevitt and Scott Rhodes.

In the Half Marathon, 28-year-old Nicholas Heller was the winner in 1:20:46. The rest of the Top 10: Ben Bear, Jonathan Bower, Ted Westendorf, McClain Schafer, Andrew Irwin, Michael Meyer, Brent Overbeck, Matt Henry and Mark Weaver. Kali Taylor was the top woman finisher and 19th overall, with Dannette Williamson second.

This year's race honored the memory of late State Trooper Karen Stroud, one of the founders of the event, who died in recent months due to breast cancer. Pink was the theme in Karen's memory.

Effingham County and Coles County Special Olympics athletes handed out medals to participants in Saturday's event and handled the water stops.

Totals as to money raised should be available later this week.