The Sedona Parks and Recreation department has teamed up with a Sedona running company for the first-ever 5K Summer Series. Two more races are scheduled in the series, but the first race, by all accounts, was a success.

About 20 runners, from 6-year-olds to 68-year-olds, competed in the first 5K on Wednesday, May 29, at Posse Grounds Park.

Joseph Aulwes of Des Moines, Iowa won in 18 minutes, 20 seconds. Aulwes, who is visiting Sedona with his family, stopped in the running store that morning and heard two guys talking about the race. Aulwes said he wanted to do a little run for exercise and decided to compete.

“It was the toughest 5K I’ve ever done,” Aulwes said. “It was a good workout.”

Jesse Martin, of Sedona, finished in second place in 20:51, and Jason Blaire, also of Sedona, placed third in 21:40.

Eight-year-old Teagan Redden, a Phoenix native who ran with her older brother and father, was the first place female finisher with a time of 30:58.

For the full story, please see the Friday, May 31, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.