On Saturday, dozens of runners traveled from all over the region to compete in the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department Mid-Winter Classic 5k, 10k and 15k race.

Gavin Prior, 13, from Mattoon ran the 5k on Saturday because he thought the race would be a good challenge.

“I thought this one would be a good one because of the hills,” Prior said.

Prior runs track and cross country for his school.

Spencer Rumbaugh and Brandon Blair from Casey also raced to help train for the upcoming track season.

Blair said the race helped provide a competitive environment and help break the monotony of training.

Blair and Rumbaugh both run track at Casey Westfield High School.

Kelly Smith, of Champaign, came to race this year after attending the previous Mid-Winter Classic.

“I ran in it last year and it was awesome,” Smith said.

She said her favorite part of the run was the rain and meeting other people who shared a passion for running.

Smith, who ran track for the University of Illinois, is currently in training for a half marathon, which consists of 13.1 miles.

Smith was the winner for the females aged 29 and under in the 5k.

Jesus Sanchez, of Champaign, ran the 15k on Saturday and is currently training for the Champaign marathon.

Sanchez said the Mid-Winter Classic was a good way to gauge his fitness level during training.

“That was a lot of fun,” Sanchez said. “I didn’t expect so many hills.”

After the races finished, the top three men and women of each age group for each race received a trophy and various prizes were auctioned off.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or kjrichter@eiu.edu