
Over 480 runners enjoyed a beautiful day and scenic course for the seventh annual
                              Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon. Participants from thirty states, as well
                              as four international racers, competed in the full marathon, half marathon, and 5K
                              course. There was also a strong contingent of Nebraskans.
                           
                           
                           The marathon is a major fundraiser for the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation
                              and its efforts. The Foundation supports students, programs, and facilities at WNCC. 
                           
                           
                           Participants were positive about the volunteers, the community support, and the western
                           Nebraska scenery.
                        
                        
                        "This course is absolutely beautiful," says Madonna Letourneau, of Deerfield Beach,
                           Florida. "It is not an easy one, but I would definitely recommend it as the race to
                           come to in Nebraska." 
                        
                        
                        It was a record setting day, first with Alejandro Garcia, of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming,
                           setting the half marathon course record with a time of 1:13:58, while Annemarie Wilson
                           of Lingle, Wyoming won the female half marathon division finishing 1:40:09.
                        
                        
                        Running his first full marathon, Dylan Stansbury, of Crawford, Nebraska, set a new
                           full marathon course record with a time of 2:49:21, while Nicole Berosek of Bridgeport,
                           Nebraska won the female full marathon division finishing in 3:26:07. 
                        
                        
                        In the 5K race, 10-year old Adrian Agne won the men's division with a time of 23:24,
                           while 13-year old Bianca Lopez won the women's division with a time of 23:56.  
                        
                        
                        Full Marathon Female Winners
                           
                           First: Nicole Berosek, Bridgeport, Nebraska, 3:26:07
                           
                           Second: Carrie Delser, Omaha, Nebraska, 3:37:20
                           
                           Third: Elizabeth Grimes, Englewood, Colorado, 3:41:41
                           
                           Full Marathon Male Winners
                           
                           First: Dylan Stansbury, Crawford, Nebraska, 2:49:21
                           
                           Second: Joe Wilson, Lingle, Wyoming, 2:51:17
                           
                           Third: Nicholas Kizzire, Alliance, Nebraska, 3:06:25
                           
                           Half Marathon Female Winners
                           
                           First: Annemarie Wilson, Lingle, Wyoming, 1:40:09
                           
                           Second: Erin Shaul, Gering, Nebraska, 1:42:29
                           
                           Third: Libby Stobel, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 1:45:49
                           
                           Half Marathon Male Winners
                           
                           First: Alejandro Garcia, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, 1:13:58
                           
                           Second: Taylor Monson, Ogden, Utah, 1:24:54
                           
                           Third: Duane Rorie, Loveland, Colorado, 1:25:04 
                           
                           5K Female Winners
                           
                           First: Bianca Lopez, Gering, Nebraska, 23:54
                           
                           Second: Shana Kraus, Grant, Nebraska, 24:47
                           
                           Third: Katy Marshall, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 25:01
                           
                           5K Male Winners
                           
                           First: Adrian Agne, Lakewood, Colorado, 23:24
                           
                           Second: Malcolm Fox, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 23:55
                           
                           Third: Jordan Holthus, Fort Collins, Colorado, 24:45
                           
                           Over 300 individuals volunteer each year fulfilling duties from course marshals to
                           parking attendants and cheer stations. 
                        
                        
                        Age division awards for each race were given to the top two females and males in multiple
                           age groups. Complete results can be found at monumentmarathon.com.
                        
                        
                        To date, the Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon has helped raise more than
                           $300,000 for scholarships in support of WNCC students.