Cedar Point

Cedar Point

The first year of Cedar Point’s 5K Challenge was won by a local runners.

The overall race winner was Michael Decker, 16, of Perkins Township, who won the race with a time of 16:44.

Decker, who is no stranger to long distance running, is a member of the Perkins High School cross county team.

“I’m excited about my performance,” he said. “I was pleased with my time. It is early in the season.”

The top overall finisher of the women’s division was Jaclyn Jensen, of Sandusky, who had a time of 19:21.

“I think this was a great event,” she said. “I hope they do it again next year.”

The 3.1 miles course led runners from the tollbooths in the main parking lot up the main midway to Frontiertown and down the other side of the midway, with the finish line at the parks public picnic shelter.

Both Decker and Jensen received plaques featuring snoopy for their accomplishments.

The top three male and female placers in each of the seven different age groups also received commemorative race medals.

Nearly 500 people competed in Cedar Point’s first race. There were almost 24 states represented as well as international racers from Canada and Germany.
A portion of the race proceeds benefited Sandusky High School, St. Mary Central Catholic High School and Perkins High School’s cross country teams.