Tunnel finale draws crowd

Sixty runners turned out to brave the chilly weather at the finale of the 2006 Mosier Twin Tunnel fun run series on Saturday. The cold weather did not slow them down, any, though, as they burned through the course record book, establishing three new best times for the series.

Among them were numerous runners from around the Gorge, including HRVHS cross-country runner Melissa Kauffman, who set a new course record in the 5K run with a time of 21:17, beating the old record by 1:24.

Joe Dudman, one of many Red Lizard team runners from Portland competing in the race, re-upped his course record in the mens’ 12K with a 41:59 finish, shaving 39 seconds off his previous best.

Erin Ford of The Dalles established a new course record in the womens' 12K with time of 50:58, besting Judith Duffy’s previous mark of 52:22. Hood River’s Duffy finished with a time of 53:17 this time around.

Top finishers in the 5K:

1. David Hatfield 18.32

2. Ben Iremonger 19:39

3. Melissa Kauffman 21:17

4. John Iremonger 23:50

5. Steve Biehm 24:40

Top finishers in the 5K:

1: Joe Dudman 41:59

2. Matthew Wolpert 44:06

3. Albert Lam 44:41

4. Paul Gronke 45:10

5. Tim Sweitlik 46:17

11. Erin Ford 50:58

13. Judith Duffy 53:17

29. Kristen Uhler 1:02:13