High schoolers set the pace at the 25th annual Mr. Ed’s 5K race

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Two area high school juniors led the way at the milestone 25th annual annual Mr. Ed’s Superbowl Warm-up race this morning at Middleport. Barker’s Sergio Cruz, left, was the first male finisher and the overall winner of the 5K race while Lockport’s Abbey Lang was the first female finisher. This past fall, Cruz won the Niagara-Orleans All-League cross-country meet while Lang was the Niagara Frontier League champion.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – With eventual winner Sergio Cruz of Barker already leading the way, hundreds of area running enthusiasts head out from the starting line on Mill Street in Middleport for the annual Mr. Ed’s 5K race. Proceeds from the event go to the Middleport Fire Company’s scholarship fund which aids Roy-Hart students who are planning a career in law enforcement or emergency medical services.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – A portion of the throng of Mr. Ed’s runners fills Mill Street.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – The field of over 400 runners curls around on Mill Street next to the canal.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lockport High junior Abbey Lang, who was not only the first female finisher in the Mr. Ed’s 5K race but also sang the national anthem prior to the start, is greeted her by her grandparents Dick and Gretchen Lang at the finish line.