Eli Julian grabbed his first 5K win on Saturday morning at Millbridge Elementary School. Julian, now 10 years old, held the lead from start to finish over the rolling course to clip Caleb Steedley by 9 seconds. Julian’s top time was 19 minutes and 58 seconds. Steedley posted a time of 20:07 while Bobby Aswell was third in 20:37. Eli Julian is nationally ranked in his age group.

Former collegiate runner Rebekah Julian paced the women with a time of 22 minutes and 10 seconds. Rebekah is Eli’s mother and said, “I just hoped to keep Eli in sight on the course and I barely did. Eventually, I will be the slowest runner in our family!”

Taking second for the women was Melissa Orr with a time of 23:09 while third went to Mikki Hartzog at 25:08.

Blake White won the fun run with a time of 2 minutes and 51 seconds while Hope Julian, Eli’s sister, led the girls in 2 minutes and 58 seconds.

Race director Jennifer Ritchie, a speech therapist at Millbridge, said, “This was a great day for the 5^th Annual Millbridge 5K and fun run. Many of our students worked hard all year in running club and PE classes to build up to the challenge of completing a 5K. Thanks to former race director Claire Watts for helping me organize my first race! It is always an awesome family and community event!”

Sponsors included Lazy 5 Vets, Novant Health, L.L. Goodnight and Sons, Thrivent Financial, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Sudden Impact Auto Body and Paint Shop, C-Level Partners, The Forum and Leazer Electrical.

Complete results are at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org