Photo by Don Borstad

A sunny, cool morning on Saturday was ideal for the Plymouth Fire Department’s 5K run/walk. Nearly 400 participants registered for the event, with runners from 79 different communities – some as far away as New Jersey and California. More than 100 children joined in the Kids’ Fun Run.

Peter Kessler of New Hope finished first in the men’s division with a time of 17 minutes, 48 seconds. Scott Davis of Maple Grove came in second at 18 minutes, six seconds. Brian Maas of Plymouth placed third again this year at 18 minutes, 41 seconds, beating his 2010 time by 7 seconds and his 2009 time by 52 seconds.

Top finishers in the women’s division were close this year, with a mother-daughter combination taking first and second place. Kathleen Miller of Plymouth took first with 20 minutes, 47 seconds and her daughter, Kristine Keller-Miller came in second with a time of 22 minutes, 11 seconds. Kelly Schwandt of Plymouth took third at 22 minutes, 17 seconds.

Firefighters from 11 departments joined their colleagues on the Plymouth Fire Department for the run. Plymouth Firefighter Mark Friske was the first firefighter to cross the finish line.

Kim Insley and Diana Pierce, both of KARE-11 TV took part in the event. Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth and the Medicine Lake Run Group, along with 43 sponsoring businesses and 68 volunteers helped make the community event a success.

Results of the 5K are posted here (PDF), as well as on the active.com website.