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Photo by Sam Harrel

Kent Slaughter and Heather Best took advantage of a perfect evening for running to post victories in Wednesday night’s 17th annual Water Walk and Run.

Slaughter led a field of more than 400 finishers by running away from the competition, posting a winning time of 17 minutes, 43.2 seconds.

That was more than a minute ahead of runner-up Michael DiFilippo from Pullman, Wash., who crossed the finish line in 18:43.5.

Rounding out the top five finishers for the men were Greg Finstad in 18:55.3, Alaska Nanooks rifle All-American Patrik Sartz in 19:14.4 and Russell Gonzalez in 19:19.3.

Best also posted a convincing win in the women’s division, finishing in 19:39.4, well over a minute ahead of second-place finisher Kori Smith.

Smith crossed the finish line in 21:04.5. Karma Roth captured third place in 21:38.5, Sarah Riddle was fourth in 23:13.9 and Elizabeth Found took fifth in 23:21.9.

There were 262 women and 151 men in the race that started and finished at the Golden Heart Utilities Water Treatment plant on First Avenue and followed an out-and-back course behind Pioneer Park on the Chena River bike path.

Women’s age-group winners were: Lucille Ostnes, Under 3; Violet Reynolds-O’Brien, 4-5; Mini O’Donoghue, 6-7; Zoe Spencer, 8-9; Julia Mayer, 10-11; Christine Angell, 12-14; Ashley Metayer, 15-17; Smith, 18-29; Best, 30-34; Roth, 35-39; Carmen Brooks, 40-44; Grace Ferreira, 45-49; Norma Haubenstock, 50-54; Faith Nava, 55-59; Monte Jordan, 60-65; Peggy Birkenbuel, 65-69; Barbara Page, 70-75; and Janette Hanneman, 75-79.

Men’s age-group winners were: Matti VanHorn, Under 3; Colin Bredlie, 4-5; Ryan Michel, 6-7; Sean Cadigan, 8-9; Billy Orth, 10-11; Luke Castellini, 12-14; Zachary Keskinen, 15-17; DiFilippo, 18-29; Jason Trine, 30-34; Derek Broderick, 35-39; Slaughter, 40-44; Terry Nance, 45-49; Finstad, 50-54; Eric Kocay, 55-59; Patrick Kalen, 60-64; Virgil Holman, 65-69; Jim Madonna, 70-74; Glenn Hackney, 80-84.

The next events on the Running Club North Calendar are the May 17th Presbyterian Hospitality House Fun Run (5K) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Patty Center and the May 18th Murphy Dome Roam (11 Miles) at the gravel pit at 8 Mile Murphy Dome Road.