New directors conclude successful 41st fair run

By Megan Kelley
The Imperial Republican
The Chase County Fair celebrated its 41st annual fair run on Aug. 17.
There were approximately 84 finishers, including 47 for the 5K, eight for the one-mile and 29 for the kids’ half mile.
Chris Bartels of Imperial won the men’s 5K division with a time of 18:35.
Also of Imperial, Vanessa Swanson took the women’s 5K title with a time of 23:50.
While several regulars returned, many of the runners were new this year.
This year, participants enjoyed good running conditions, said race co-director Melisa Owens. Even with 90% humidity, the temperature was only 67 degrees, and a 3 mph wind kept runners cool.
“It was warm and humid, but not oppressive,” Owens said.
Owens and her husband, Clay, directed their first race at the fair and are looking forward to the 2020 fair run.
The Owenses took over for longtime director Jonathan Beverly.
“The kids’ run was as full and fun as ever,” Owens said.
 The kids’ run was sponsored and directed by the McNair Agency and family and took place on the school track.
Winners for the kids’ run were Conner Stromberger for boys and Anna Maris for girls.
T-shirts this year were designed by Angie Swanson.
The race was sponsored by Imperial Rotary Club, Hayden Outdoors Real Estate, Imperial Super Foods, McNair Agency and Synergy Total Fitness.
Other volunteers included Carl Zuege and the CCS cross country team, Troy Hauxwell, Sheila Stromberger, Super Foods, the Imperial Rotary Club, Mark and Renae Bottom and the Imperial EMS.
Here are the full race results:
Overall winners
One Mile—W: Aria McNair, 8:56; M Al Zuege, 15:36
5K—M: Chris Bartels, 18:53; W: Vanessa Swanson, 23:50.
5K men age group winners
13 and Under—1) Zach Herbert, 2) Drew Zwickl
14–19—1) Landis Beverly, 2) Kalen Wallin, 3) Ethan Hardin
20–29—1) Chris Bartels, 2) Indy Smith, 3) Logan Kruger
30–39—1) Jeremy Vlasin, 2) Kurt Elder
40–49—1) Mike Elder, 2) Craig Wenzlick, 3) Aaron Behrends
50–59—1) Jim Gonzales
60–69—1) Carl Wilcox, 2) Jim Cooper
70+—1) None.
5K women age group
winners
13 and Under—1) None
14–19—1) Morgan Peterson, 2) Josie Peterson, 3) Anne Goodman
20–29—1) Ashley Ambrosek, 2) Cassie Carman, 3) Julissa Estrada
30–39—1) Vanessa Swanson, 2) Ashli Maris, 3) Michelle May
40–49—1) Crystal Peterson, 2) Amanda Libra, 3) Diane Zwickl
50–59—1) Lori Hafner, 2) Rose Cayer, 3) Tracy Beverly
60–69—1) Linda Thayer, 2) Renae Bottom, 3) Laurie Wilcox
70+—None
Full results
1 Mile Run—1) Aria McNair, 8:56; 2) Ava McNair, 9:05; 3) Landree McNair, 9:16; 4) Abby Spicer, 9:18; 5) Riley Rusher, 14:26; 6) Al Zuege, 15:36; 7) Ali McNair 15:40; 8) Abby McNair, 15:41.
5K Run—1) Chris Bartels, 18:53; 2) Indy Smith, 20:17; 3) Logan Krueger, 20:45; 4) Ryan Moline, 21:10; 5) Landis Beverly, 21:55; 6) Jeremy Vlasin, 22:28; 7) Mike Elder, 22:54; 8) Craig Wenzlick, 23:47; 9) Vanessa Swanson, 23:50; 10) Zachary Herbert, 24:09; 11) Ashley Ambrosek, 24:17; 12) Aaron Behrends, 25:02; 13) Ashli Maris, 25:12; 14) Morgan Peterson, 25:32; 15) Kalen Wallin, 25:33; 16) Josie Peterson, 25:37; 17) Michelle May, 25:44; 18) Jim Gonzales, 26:33; 19) Travis Kleeb, 27:05; 20) Krystal Posey, 27:20; 21) Linda Thayer, 27:51; 22) Stephanie Ambrosek, 28:31; 23) Crystal Peterson, 28:48; 24) Kurt Elder, 28:49; 25) Amanda Libra, 29:30; 26) Cassie Carman, 29:37; 27) Ethan Harding, 30:40; 28) Ashley Brost, 30:50; 29) Tara Houlden, 31:06; 30) Anne Goodman, 32:42; 31) Lori Hafnor, 33:27; 32) Braxton Maris, 33:44; 33) Carl Wilcox, 35:38; 34) Julissa Estrada, 36:36; 35)  Renae Bottom, 36:51; 36) Jim Cooper, 37:46; 37) Laurie Wilcox, 38:19; 38) Drew Zwickl, 38:45; 39) Brandon Mintling, 38:46; 40) Diane Zwickl, 38:47; 41) Rose Cayer, 43:09; 42) Tracy Beverly, 43:35; 43) Tess Brown, 50:33; 44) Lynda Hoffman, 51:15; 45) Whitney Hopp, 52:50; 46) Robin Francis, 52:51; 47) Melody Jensen, 55:28.
Kids Half Runners—AJ McNair, Brady Colson, Trennin May, Rece Posey, Levi Ambrosek, Abby Spicer, Piper Brown, Conner Stromberger, Gavyn Maris, Anna Maris, Alexi Axlund, Sam Lechtenberg, Maesa Swanson, Cash Swanson, Ben Lechtenberg, Kendall Posey, Brynn Posey, Kate Colson, Jax Aulston, Jory Aulston, Chase Libra, Tatum May, Maura May, Millianna May, Jackson German, Grayson Owens, Ashton Dawson, Aria Dawson, Beckham Dawson.