Paul Minneman, 21, a Solomon native and senior at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, was the overall winner with a time of 17 minutes, 48 seconds.
Minneman wore a big smile after the race and believed he caught a break when recent Abilene graduate and standout runner James Wilson chose not to run in the race.
“I am disappointed James was not here. I was hoping to provide him with competition,” Minneman said.
The winner believed it was going to be a special day early in the race as he stayed with the lead pack and when he reached Abilene High School, he made his move to take the lead.
“It is amazing how pouring ice water on you makes you run faster,” Minneman said. “I think I needed that.”
Minneman had never won the Rocket Run and after the conclusion of the KWU cross country season, he took a break and only recently had started training again.
“I would have liked to have been in the 17:10ish,” Minneman said. “I’m really glad it is raining. It helped me not to think how humid it is. I’ve always liked running in the rain.”
Jenna Farris, 14, a sophomore-to-be at Lincoln High School, was the top female runner with a time of 19:00.
“I’m happy with my time,” Farris said. “I went to Hays yesterday (Saturday) and ran 19:15. I started out a little faster and it was not hot today. I paced myself with one of the top guys who was running and stayed right up with him.”
Farris is no stranger to success. She won the 2-mile run and was second in the mile run at the state track meet this past May. She ran in the Rocket Run two years ago.
Tristan Irish was the top male runner in the 1-mile run with a time of 5:03. The top female runner in the mile run was Caroline Zielke with a time of 7:08.
The top two mile walkers were Jim Hague and Allison Liby. Times were not available.
Rocket Run results
5K Run Sunday
Eisenhower Park
Top Male -- Paul Minneman, 17:48.
Top Female -- Jenna Farris, 19:00.
Age 0-13
Male -- 1, Tristan Irish, 18:37; 2, Jacoby Robinson, 23:11; 3, Rogan Tokach, 23:34.
Female -- 1 Maddie Wildman, 27:58; 2, Megan Poole, 28:29.
Age 14-19
Male -- 1, Chase DeWitt, 20:08; 2, Joe Wilson, 21:48; 3, Ben Geiger, 22:53.
Female -- 1, Haylee Steffen, 20:35; 2, Jordan Zielke, 23:41; 3, Emily Wyatt, 25:24.
Age 20-29
Male -- 1, Aaron Gasper, 18:53; 2, Brent Nelson, 20:27; 3, Brian Watkins, 20:28.
Female -- 1, Melissa Power, 23:33; 2, Heather Fritz, 26:55; 3, Wendy Dinkel, 27:06.
Age 30-39
Male -- 1, Kurt Lawrence, 18:00; 2, Scott Williamson, 19:27; 3, Tim Bartz, 20:34.
Female -- 1, Amber Engle, 21:35; 2, Heather Emory, 26:55; 3, Laurie Ferguson, 22:10.
Age 40-49
Male -- 1, Derek Lipson, 20:01; 2, Huey Counts, 22:06; 3, Chad Lokken, 22:09.
Female -- 1, Renee Stirtz, 20:58; 2, Sondra Flynn, 27:53; 3, Grace Leu-Burke, 28:19.
Age 50-59
Male -- 1, Lile Budden, 19:07; 2, Mike Dunn, 20:50; 3, Joe Wagonblast, 21:12.
Female -- 1, Adrienne Gaptor, 30:28; 2, Rhonda Bethe, 43:46.
Age 60 and older
Male -- 1, Jim Dawes, 32:23; 2, Dennis Giersch, 34:02; 3, Tom Litke, 34:28.
Rocket Run
1-Mile Run
Top Five
Male -- 1, Tristan Irish, 5:03; 2, Kurt Lawrence, 5:07; 3, Paul Minneman, 5:13; Tristan Anguiano, 6:10; 5, Brendon Dalton, 6:39.
Female -- 1, Caroline Zielke, 7:08; 2, Taylor Rolfs, 7:35; 3, Grace Alvarez, time not available; 4, Macey Dinkel, time not available; 5, Jacey Goetz, not available.
2-Mile Walkers (times not available)
1, Jim Hague; 2, Allison Liby; 3, Jason Gibson; 4, Denise Liby; 5, Sydney Burton.