Moore, Liming run to WakeMed Cary Distance Festival 10K victories

A beautiful day, a record turnout and a fast field dominated by Raleigh's Joseph Moore highlighted Saturday's 15th annual WakeMed Cary Distance Festival, part of the Triangle's Second Empire Grand Prix Series.

A record field of 461 runners and walkers registered for the 10K and 5K road races, which were held under a sunny sky with no wind and a temperature in the mid 50s, race organizer Jim Young of Young & Associates reported.

Moore, 26, covered the USA Track and Field-certified 10K course in 31 minutes, 16 seconds, well ahead of runner-up Marc Jeuland, 31, of Carrboro, who ran 31:51. Srini Iyer, 20, of Raleigh, and the winner of the last Grand Prix event, was third in 34:10. (Iyer was the winner of the previous Grand Prix event, the Law Enforcement Torch Run 5K for Special Olympics held Feb. 20 in Raleigh.)

Brennan Liming, 33, of Apex won the women's title in 39:27. Shannon Lowery, 36, of Raleigh followed in 40:00. Amie Krasnozon, 29, of Morrisville was third in 40:07.

The 10K race was part of the Second Empire Grand Prix Series for the first time.  Runners who enter the series score points in each race, and prizes and local bragging rights are on the line. This year's series consists of eight spring races and eight fall races.

A 5K race also was run. Brandon Carter, 24, of Fuquay-Varina was the overall winner in 17:42. Jennifer Hannen, 23, of Raleigh finished second overall and also won the women’s title, finishing in 18:52.

The race is managed by the Cary Rotary Club, and proceeds help fund the club's civic projects.

Got more recreational sports news?