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Cheney repeats as Hit The Bricks 5K champion
Skopec also repeats as top overall female
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — After winning the race last year, Seth Cheney wanted to capture the same feeling again this year.
Cheney did that, crossing the finish line first again in the 5K of the 37th running of the Hit The Bricks races at Williamsburg High School Saturday.
“I wanted to win it again this year and go back-to-back,” Cheney said following the race.
A 2023 Iowa City West graduate who also ran one year at Iowa Central Community College, Cheney is now a member of the Iowa State University Run Club.
Cheney ran an identical time as last year, finishing in 15:35.
“I went out a little fast, but was able to run pretty even splits,” Cheney said.
Cheney plans to continue his training regime of 60-70 miles a week and may be back again next year for the race.
“Now I want to three-peat,” Cheney said with a smile.
The overall female champion was also a repeat from last year — Gabby Skopec.
Skopec is a 2017 graduate of Iowa City West and ran all four years of college, one at Northern Iowa and three at Iowa.
The race was significant for Skopec because it was her first race officially as a member of the Fitness Sports Distance Project.
“I joined recently and literally just picked up my race kit last week,” Skopec said.
The FSDP elite and developmental teams contain many Iowa preps who continue to train and compete at a high level. Fitness Sports have several stores around the state.
Skopec will continue to run around 80-85 miles a week as she prepares for the Milwaukee Marathon this fall.
Several Williamsburg cross-country alums also had notable finishes.
Runner-up in the 5K was Jake Buccholtz, a 2023 graduate, who attends the University of Northern Iowa and is part of the school’s run club.
Wes Hulseburg, a 2024 Williamsburg grad and member of the Wartburg cross-country and track-and-field teams, won the 10K in 33:23.
The three events — 5K, 10K and kids fun run — had a great turnout.
“This has to be the biggest turnout we’ve ever had,” race director Nick Nordheim said.
Among the record numbers were a large group of junior high, high school runners.
Many current members of the Williamsburg cross-country team participated as did a group of runners from Clear Creek Amana.
Tinley Sauser won the 1K kids fun run in a time of 4:12.
5K Results
Overall: male— Seth Cheney, 15:35; female— Gabby Skopec, 18:07
Age division winners
14 & under: male— Markus Pirkl, 18:30; female— Ali Seidl, 20:31
15-18: male— Carson Meskimen, 16:56; female— Marie Yoder, 21:40
19-29: male— Jake Buccholtz, 16:54; female— Bri Dellamuth, 24:01
30-39: male— Darren Landis, 20:43; female— Amanda Smith, 28:38
40-49: male— Luke Yoder, 17:31; female— Amy Baker, 23:43
50-59: Chad Reed, 25:20; female— RaeLynn Lamparek, time unknown
60 & up: male— Marty Gingerich, 21:28
Youngest 5K finisher: Vincent Klosterboer
