A beautiful morning greeted 78 runners and walkers who came for the 15th annual Fox Creek 5K in Berne last Saturday. The shotgun start sent runners off on the newly certified 5K course.

This year, the race was the first leg of the inaugural Hilltown Triple Crown, which consists of three consecutive races: Fox Creek 5K, Pre Fall Classic 5K in Voorheesville on Aug. 17, and the Altamont 5K on Aug. 24. Runners who participate in and finish all three races gain points for finishing and win prizes.

Ryan Walker, from Voorheesville, won the Fox Creek 5K for the fourth time, finishing in 18 minutes, 18 seconds. Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s new cross-country coach, Ada Lauderbach, of Schenectady, was the top female finisher with a time of 21:52.

This year’s race was organized again as a fundraiser for L.E.A.P. (Life Enhancement through Activities and Programs), a local not-for-profit group that provides scholarships and support for equine-assisted activities, and therapies for children and adults with disabilities. LEAP has supported a number of local children through programs at EBC (Every Body Counts) Therapy Center in East Berne.

Here are the top-35 results from Saturday:

–– 2. Joel Patrie, Scotia, 18:46;

–– 3. Adam Forti, Altamont, 18:51;

–– 4. Mark Stephenson, Esperance, 18:55;

–– 5. Chris Palmer, Middleburgh, 19:38;

–– 6. David Roy, Schoharie, 19:50;

–– 7. Rick Munson, Prattsville, 19:57;

–– 8. Lukus Becker, Berne, 20:06;

–– 9. Clifford Erickson, Voorheesville, 20:53;

–– 10. Bob Kanarkiewicz, Delanson, 21:02;

–– 11. Dave Glass, Glenville, 21:34;

–– 12. Jim Devine, East Berne, 21:36;

–– 13. Joshua Shafer, Guilderland, 21:52;

–– 15. Julie Halsdorf, Albany, 22:14;

–– 16. Edward Hampston, Voorheesville, 22:27;

–– 17. Chris Leavitt, Albany, 22:33;

–– 18. Ali Tedeschi, Westerlo, 22:36;

–– 19. Shannon Pinkowski, Albany, 23:19;

–– 20. Brittney Schultes, Herkimer, 23:33;

–– 21. Michael Libertucci, Schenectady, 24:04;

–– 22. Lauren Anderson, Altamont, 24:29;

–– 23. Meghan Araldi, Westerlo, 25:37;

–– 24. Jayne Maloney, Delmar, 26:03;

–– 25. Ken Crandall, Coxsackie, 26:07;

–– 26. Nancy Stevens, Latham, 26:28;

–– 27. Kathleen Sellnow, Schenectady, 26:31;

–– 28. Rachel Asam, Coeymans Hollow, 26:35;

–– 29. Alison Wilkes, Altamont, 26:44;

–– 30. Ben Becker, Berne, 26:53;

–– 31. Kristin Zielinski, Altamont, 26:57;

–– 32. Andrew Joslin, Westerlo, 27:05;

–– 33. Thomas Miller, Altamont, 27:20;

–– 34. Kacey Sornberger, Albany, 27:27; and

–– 35. Sara Klock, Sprakers, 27:45.