Prison City Spring 10K

Lansing, KS, April 17, 1999

Age Group Winners

Article/results courtesy of the Lansing Lions Club.

Normally the coming of spring in Northeast Kansas is marked by warming weather, the greening of the countryside, and the sight of runners challenging the hills during the annual Prison City Spring Run and Walk in Lansing. This is the normal prelude to summer. However, on Saturday, April 17, 1999 runners and walkers were greeted with the worst weather conditions in the fifteen-year history of the race. Near freezing temperatures, high winds, and a cold drizzle sharply contrasted the balmy days preceding the event. Nevertheless, a hardcore group of runners braved the weather, toed the starting line, and at the gun took off to take on the toughest 10-Kilometer race in the Kansas City Metro Area. Josh Kennedy and Keith Krupinski fought from the first mile for the lead with Kennedy eventually pulling away on the hilly course to win in 43:32. Krupinski battled the hills and the wind to hold onto second place in 44:07 while Carlos Jones finished strongly to claim third in 45:22.

In the women's race, the effects of the weather were equally obvious, as the runner's times became less of a goal than finishing the race. Despite the obstacles, Ann Lord of Leavenworth repeated as the women's overall 10K champ by maintaining a steady pace to finish the grueling course in 48:48, almost a full minute off last year's winning time run in nearly ideal conditions. Linda Carson and Joanne Hume made it a battle for second place with Carson edging out Hume by a mere nine seconds finishing in 55:16 to Hume's 55:25.

While the tough 10K route has given the Prison City Spring Run a reputation as a "serious" race for "serious" runners; the overall race day program included Kid's Runs for youngsters 4 to 8 years old, a 2-Mile Fun Run, and a 2-Mile Prediction Walk. In the prediction walk, the walker who finishes closest to the time declared prior to race, regardless of the overall time, wins. Vicki Sperl, a race walker of some local fame in Lansing, won the Prediction Walk by finishing within 2 minutes of her predicted time. The overall Fun Run winner was Colleen Kelley of Leavenworth.

A recap of the overall winners and age group winners follows:

10K Race:

Overall Men: Josh Kennedy 43:32

Age Group Winners:

20 - 24: Carlos Jones 45:22

25 - 29: Josh Kennedy 43:32

30 - 34: Joe Birchmeier 49:01

40 - 49: Keith Krupinski 44:07

50 - 59: George Estabrook 51:00

60 - 69: David Lindgren

10K Race

Overall Women: Ann Lord 48:48

Age Group Winners :

30 - 34: Linda Carson 55:16

35 - 39: Ann Lord 48:48

40 - 49: Glee Peters 57:45

2-Mile Fun Run Champion: Colleen Kelley

2-Mile Prediction Walk Winner: Vicki Sperl