Hundreds of runners, many costumed, do a haunt-jaunt starting and ending in Lithia Park
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
The 15th annual Monster Dash Run for Education attracted hundreds of runners to Lithia Park on Saturday, in spite of chilly conditions. Race proceeds support grants in Ashland Public Schools through the Ashland Schools Foundation. In 2021-22, ASF provided over $125,000 in grant support to our local schools. This year’s run, produced again in collaboration with the Ashland Kiwanis Club, is expected to raise more than $40,000 for Ashland schools. Funds collected at the event will go toward classroom grants in the Ashland School District, which can be used for classroom projects, materials, supplies, and specialized support.
Taking home top honors overall in the 1-mile race was 13-year-old male Kaden Loftus of Ashland in 6:01.00, ahead of 69-year-old male David Allman of Ashland in 6:19.28. The top female finisher was 16-year-old Kara Loftus of Ashland in 7:06.64.
First in the 5K was male Bjorn Austbo, 16, of Ashland with a time of 18:53.59, ahead of Malachi Loeliger, 17, of Ashland in 19:19.33. The first female finisher was Madison Hornig, 32, of Ashland in 24:05.85.
Leading 10K finishers was male Zachery Blanco, 27, of Talent, with a time of 39:52.94, followed by female Hannah Woodcock, 29, of Medford, in 41:21.17.
Aside from overall top finishers, winners were recognized in five age groups in each of the three run lengths for both males and females, plus best group and best couple in each.
Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
