Participants of the 2019 Charley Townsley Ripple Run gathered for a group photo following the 5K fun run/walk at the bandstand on the Tama County Courthouse lawn. The race took place on Saturday, July 6. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

Several runners and walkers did indeed get by at the 3rd annual Charley Townsley Ripple Run. For the third year of the outdoor event, organizers opted to move the run from its former fall date to a date in the summer in hopes of better weather. The move paid off as the weather was optimal according to several runners who participated on Saturday. Organizers report the turnout for the event was the highest it has been to date. Temperatures were in the 70s for the 8 a.m. start time. The sky was overcast but the air was cool and the ground remained dry.

The race was also moved from Otter Creek Lake and Park to the streets of Toledo. On the course, runners started and finished in downtown Toledo. They were taken through residential areas of the town. Some of the course was run on the edge of the city limits so runners were treated to views of scenic countryside as well.

Overall winners of the run were Blake Keller and Sarah Carson. Following the race, participants were treated to a breakfast sponsored by Bumblebees Pizza and Sunny Hill Care Center.

Money raised from the Ripple Run goes to the Charley Townsley Memorial which is then used for a scholarship for a South Tama County senior through the STC Scholarship Foundation and to the STC Activities Boosters. After two years of organizing the Ripple Run, the family of the late Charley Townsley was proud to award a 2019 Charley Townsley Scholarship to STC graduating senior, Ashlynn Martens. This was the first year since 2014 that the scholarship has been awarded. Also this year the Ripple Run partnered with the South Tama County Cross Country team.

The date for the next Ripple Run will be announced in the coming months, but mark your calendars for July 2020.

Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each age category from 10 and under to 70 and over. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

Medalists

11-19 male

Jonathan Meyer

Ethan Klemesrud

Tanner Large

Overall winners at the 2019 Ripple Run were Blake Keller (left) and Sara Carson (right). Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

11-19 female

Sarah Carson

Jojo Tyynismaa

Ashlynn Large

20-29 male

Runners and walkers get started on Broadway at the 2019 Charley Townsley Ripple Run in Toledo, Iowa on Saturday, July 6. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

Blake Keller

Marcos Nunez

20-29 female

Anna Navin

Serena Lowe

Kiyana Pusehtonequa

30-39 male

Jeremi Kopsa

Tyler Vermeer

Scott Bolen

30-39 female

Kelli Smith

Emily Chyma

Rebecca Campbell

40-49 male

Ro Rosario

John Huebner

40-49 female

Liz Winter

50-59 male

John Novak

Jon Darter

50-59 female

Betty Carson

Annette Lacina

Shelly Riley

60-69 male

Mark Zimmer

Jon Jochims

Warren Riley

60-69 female

Becky Faircloth

Dot Kendall

70 + male

John Studts