Over 450 runners – 466 to be exact – competed in the 41st annual Freedom Run. The combined 5K and 10K race began at 7:00 am on the Fourth of July.

Trey Vernon, Manhattan Running Company, said that this is the second largest group of participants for the Freedom Run; only 2014 had more entries.

Manhattan running company has coordinated the timing system and the racing event for the last several years.

The top male 5K finisher was Michael Melgaris, Manhattan, coming in just over 15 minutes. The top 5K female finisher was 23 year old Chantalle Blundell, a Big Red One spouse that is new to the area, having only been here for two weeks. Blundell ran 18:56.

The top male 10K finisher was Chris Melgaris, brother to Michael the 5K champ. The Melgaris brothers’ younger sister Cara also ran in the Freedom Run finishing 2nd in the 5K. Both Chris and Michael Melgaris run track for the University of Kansas, their sister who just graduated from Manhattan High School this past Spring will attend Kansas State University, where she too will run track.

The Melgaris family, including their mother, have participated in the Freedom Run for several years…winning most of them.

The top female 10K finisher was 20  year old Annie Roberts in just over 38 minutes. Roberts, from California, is here visiting a friend for the summer.

New this year, all finishers – regardless of place – were awarded a participation medal. The top finishers were given a small trophy and monetary prize, if eligible.

There was also a one mile fun run for younger children that began at 8:30 am.

The Freedom Run is an annual Fourth of July race, in tradition with Sundown Salute.