Stuart Park & Recreation held its fourth annual 5K Saturday, May 20 as part of a full day of Strawberry Festival events in the town of Stuart.

Landon Nowlin scorched the three-mile course with a time of 17:52 to win over 52 entries. Nowlin, who had finished second and fourth the previous two years, credited his win to training up and down Squirrel Spur Road.

Brad Holt, a two-time winner of the event, was second with a time of 19:23. Third overall was Jonathan Adcock with a time of 20:27. The top three all are from Stuart.

On the ladies’ side, Rebecca Adcock of Stuart was the overall winner. Adcock, last year’s runner-up, ran a time of 23:37. Second was Sybil Slate of Claudville with a time of 24:03. Placing third place for the second year in a row was 11-year-old Missy Hazzard  with a time of 25:32.

Master winners ( over 40) were Todd Gammons of Mount Airy, N.C., with a time of 21:47, and Kimberly Compton of Martinsville, who won her second in a row with time of 28:29.

The event was sponsored by Blue Ridge Bank and Clark Gas & Oil. Funds raised from the event will be used for the children’s playground at DeHart Park.

Stuart Park and Recreation members thank the sponsors, volunteers, the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, Stuart Fire Department, and especially the runners who made the event a success.