On a sunny, breezy Saturday morning, more than 100 runners lined up on Lakeside Drive in Big Lake to compete in the 3.7-mile Run for the Lakes.

Official statistics show there were 131 finishers, way up from last year’s 91.

Once the race started, a few runners separated themselves from the field early as they headed around Big Lake and Mitchell Lake.

In the end, it was former Hornet distance standout Kade Layton who crossed the finish line first in 19:32.7, about 2:30 ahead of his closest competitor, Sameer Gupta, who finished in 22:07.0.

The top female finisher was Paula Krohn who placed ninth overall in 25:27.5.  

As the race continued, runners of all ages and abilities made the final turn off Hwy. 10 back into Lakeside Park to the finish line to the sound of the cheering crowd.

Prizes were given to the top three male and female finishers.  The top three finishers in each category for women and men received medals.  

The winners in each category were as follows:

Men 12 and under - Hunter Houle, 12, 27.21.2; 13-19 -  Kade Layton, 19, 19:32.7; 20-29 - Josiah VaDeSteeg, 26, 26:07.9; 30-39 - John Kallemeyn, 38, 23:01.1; 40-49 - Greg Smock, 45, 27:25.5; 50-59 - John Herbert, 59, 28:30.6; 60 and over - Eric Hawkins, 61, 27:42.9.

Women 12 and under - Fiona Veches, 10, 41:54.9; 13-19 - Bella Duncombe, 19, 26:23.0; 20-29 - Amelia Degen, 12, 27:37.9; 30-39 - Paula Krohn, 33, 25.27.5; 40-49 - Julie Kallemeyn, 40, 29:42.9; 50-59 - Cynthia Anderson, 53, 29:04.9; 60 and over - Jacki Devine, 62, 28:34.8.