The Sedona Stumble 5-Mile Trail Run did not live up to its billing.

A little more than 100 runners showed up to Posse Grounds Park just before 9 a.m. Saturday, April 14, to participate in the two-lap loop. By race’s end, awards were handed out, complementary sunglasses and pint glasses were distributed — and nobody had fallen.

A collaborative effort between the Sedona Running Company and the city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department, there was the added bonus of a food truck festival complete with beer and wine garden across the street that lured runners in, as well.

“It went really, really well. It went about as well as last year,” said Adam Gifford, event organizer and “dood-in-charge” at Sedona Running Company. “We use [the food truck fest] to really push it. Most of the people I spoke to, they’re coming because there’s going to be food trucks and beer and wine, and all the fun stuff afterwards. The two events work super well together.”

Chris Repka of Flagstaff was the overall winner, crossing the finish line in front of the Posse Grounds Pavilion for the second time in 34:45. A collegiate cross-country runner, Repka enjoyed the course, which extended up and into the park’s local trail network.

The course had some longer, steeper hills where runners had to be aware of their footing as they ascended.

“It was good. Lots of sharp ups and downs and turns, it keeps you thinking. It was good, definitely. It was almost nice to have that second lap because I knew which way I was going,” Repka said. “I certainly wasn’t bored. Sometimes loop courses, it’s kind of a drag, but this one wasn’t.”

The gusting winds that blew through Sedona on Friday, April 13, had gone by the morning of the race. Clear blue skies, a warm morning sun and moderate temperatures made for an enjoyable event.

Autumn Ray, a Sedona local and first-time participant, was the top female winner, clocking in shortly behind Repka at 35:06. Ray enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the day, with Gifford telling jokes to the runners before the official timing clock struck 9 a.m.

“It was just a beautiful day to be out, and I wanted to get out and be a part of the community, and it’s just nice to do something low key. I do a lot of kind of high-pressure races,” Ray said. “It puts some of the fun back into running. You don’t have to worry about the time or the place, you just go out and be with friends and enjoy the trails that you normally run anyways.”

The DeLuca family had quite the outing. Marty, the father, took first in the male 50- to 59-year-old category, while Stacy, the mother, was first in the female 40- to 49-year-old category, and the daughter, Bailey, won the 11- to 19-year old group.

“I’d like to point out the DeLuca family is cleaning house today,” Gifford said during the award ceremony.

From Thousand Oaks, Calif., the DeLucas had never been to Sedona before. In town for Stacy’s birthday and to visit Bailey, a Northern Arizona University student, the running family was not disappointed.

“It was great, Sedona is beautiful for one. This is my first trail race and I just thought the trails were great and the scenery was amazing,” Marty DeLuca said.

It was the second year of the race. Last year Gifford limited participation to about 80, unsure of how many runners the trails could handle.

After learning that it was able to handle likely twice as many runners, Gifford opened registration to more, and about 130 signed up, he said.

In the end, it is more about the runners’ experience.

“Numbers don’t really judge it I think as much as just how much fun people have when they’re here. [We] got lucky with the gorgeous weather, and this is just a quality, difficult trail race,” said Rachel Murdoch, parks and recreation manager.

The food truck festival’s participation also happened to be underestimated the first time around. After completing the five-mile race, many of the deserving runners planned on making the short walk across Posse Ground Road to enjoy some food and beer to refuel.

“That’s the idea. A couple bites to eat and some beer sounds good after. [It’s] a beautiful day, too,” Repka said.