Runners took off under bright sunny skies at the start of the 16th annual Dr. Bender 5K Classic held July 22 at Canal Winchester High School. The course wound its way along side streets and bike paths until returning to the finish line inside the stadium. Lauren Crissinger of Canal Winchester was the top female finisher with a time of 19:58. Zachariah Zimmerman, a Pickerington runner, took first place in the men’s category with a finish time of 15:14. The event also included a 1-mile Fun Run for children that preceded the 5K. Proceeds from this year’s races directly benefited the boys and girls cross country teams at Canal Winchester High School. Visit www.drbender5k.com for information.
