VALPARAISO | About the only evidence spring actually has sprung was the large bell in race director Mike Jones' right hand Saturday morning at the Valparaiso Family YMCA.
The 13th annual Ringing In Spring 5K featured blowing snow, temperatures in the 20s and a strong north wind. But that didn't deter 651 runners and walkers from completing the race, which starts with Jones ascending a ladder and ringing a bell to send the competitors on their way. And the winter-like weather didn't phase the traditional winners, as Aaron Crague and Karen Nagel again dominated the field.
Nagel won her fifth consecutive women's title in a time of 18 minutes, 35 seconds. She was 19th overall and only was pushed by other male runners, including her boyfriend, Ryan Kwiecinski, who ended up 17th in 18:29.
"This is always a race I look forward to because it's kind of a tradition," said Nagel, 27. "I had some guys running around me who were pushing (the pace), but I pretty much ran what I expected to run because of the wind."
A minor course change had the runners turning east on Harrison off of Campbell, and looping back to Campbell via Franklin and Northview streets. In previous years, the course continued north on Campbell up to Northview for the approximate one-mile loop.
Crague, who won for the third consecutive year, liked the change. He said the slight decline from Northview to the bridge on Campbell helped him gain momentum heading to the two-mile marker.
"It made a longer downhill stretch, and I think that was good," said Crague, whose time was 15:43. Last year, he set the course record of 15:21.2.
The Lake Central grad led from the start. He ran with eventual second- and third-place finishers Jeff Hojnacki (16:07) and Adam Piaskowy (16:37), his former cross country and track teammate at Valparaiso University.
Seasoned veterans, both Crague and Nagel weren't bothered by the blustery, cold conditions.
"I like it to be warmer and a little less windy, but you still have to go out and race and have the same mindset," Crague said. "You can still have a good performance."
