Bloomfield seventh-grader wins Open Arms 5K

A seventh-grade student at Bloomfield Jr-Sr High School claimed top prize in the Sixth Annual Open Arms Christian Ministries Spirit Sprint 5K Run/Walk on Saturday in Worthington.

Justin Beard, the son of Brad and Julie Beard, toured the 3.2-mile course in 19:12.9, just over 45 seconds ahead of second-place runner Skylar Sorokoty from Spencer, who had a time of 19:58.7.

Rachel Wiseman of Bloomfield was the first female finisher in 23:48.2. She was the ninth overall finisher. Second-place female was Rebecca Roberts of Bloomington, in 25:24.7, who placed thirteenth overall.

More than 100 runners and walkers participated in this year’s event at Worthington Town Park.

For the third straight year a team of runners and walkers from Greene County Chiropractic in Worthington claimed the ‘Holy Grail Trophy’ for having the most registered participants among church groups, organizations or teams with 14.

Smithville Christian Church placed a close second with 13 and Bloomfield First Christian Church followed with 12 participants.

Age group winners in the 5K included: Males: age 1-14–Eli Crites (21:52.1); age 15-19–Blaine Gilstrap (21:14.1); age 20-29–Caleb McHenry (27:46.5); age 30-39-Skylar Sorokoty (19:58.7); age 40-49–Dick Brown (23:13.6); age 50-59 –Pip Chamberlain (29.04.4); age 60-69–Richard Rainey (28:49.5); age 70-99–James Hert (47:48.5); Females: age 1-14–Adalyn Wiseman (28:41.2); age 15-19–Christina Davis (25:46.2); age 20-29 –Jennifer Hert (31:20.8); age 30-39–Rebecca Roberts (25:24.7); age 40-49–Britney Lynn (27:19.3); age 50-59–Rebecca McHenry (36:08.2); age 60-69–Karen Firestone (36:08.5).

Kids Race winners were: age 4 and under–Gavin Rice; age 4-6–Azleigh Goodman and age 7-12- Leo Miller.

Proceeds for this year’s event were earmarked for Open Arms’ foster care training and services.

This year’s corporate sponsors included: McHenry Homes, Inc.; Powers Orthodontics; Marner Wood Products LLC; Greene County Chiropractic, LLC; Owen County State Bank; Dyar Real Estate; Greene County General Hospital; Odon Locker Company; Scott Powers, DDS; Wabash Valley Correctional Facility; Christian Financial Resources; Poole Mill Produce and The Original Company Radio Group.

Open Arms Family and Education Services is located near Switz City. The nonprofit agency operates the Miriam Group Home, administers foster care/adoption services and offers high school equivalency classes and testing, high school credit recovery classes and career training through Turning Point Education Center (TPEC).