Morton cruises to 10k title

It may have been the last day of October, but it felt like summer with the high humidity in Saturday's Ridge Area ARC Halloween 10k and 5k at Highlands Hammock State Park.

Despite the humidity, veteran runner Doug Morton breezed to first overall in the demanding 10K event with a time of 35 minutes, 10 seconds over the flat Highlands Hammock State Park course.

Amanda Kennedy, a former Sebring High School cross country standout, finished first overall for the women in the 10k with a time of 50:48.

Jerry Whidden was the Male Master (ages 40-59) winner in 46:27, while Kathleen Hammock finished first in the Female Master (ages 40-59) with a time of 1:03.50.

Male Grand Master (age 60+) winner was John Schwarze in 58:37, while Female Grand Master (age 60+) winner was Audrey Smith in 1:32.26.

Micah Olson finished first overall in the 5k in 22.26, while Jay Jones placed second in 36.50 and Jonathan Jones came in third in 40.12.

Sebring High cross country athlete Taylor Tubbs was the overall female winner in the 5k with a time of 23.29, while Nikki McGee placed second in 25.29 and Kathie Maloyed finished third in 29.58.

The inaugural event was a fundraiser for the Ridge Area ARC and more than $5,000 was raised for the worthy organization.

"We are so happy with the support of our sponsors and the efforts of everyone to make this day a success," said Rhonda Beckman, who is the Executive Director of the Ridge Area ARC.