Staff photo by Clay Schuldt More than 165 runners start off from the Citizens Bank parking lot Saturday as part of the annual 5K to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

NEW ULM– The 7th Annual Citizens Bank 5K ran smoothly Saturday morning, with more than165 runners participating in the 5K race — an increase from the 130 runners who participated in the 2021 race.

The runners start off from Citizens Bank parking lot at 7:45 a.m. and ran south on Minnesota Street, turned east on 16th South and followed the bike trail to the finish line in German Park.

John Maas finished first with a time of 20 minutes and 14 seconds. Maas said it was a nice day for a run, not too warm and with a breeze. This was the first time Maas had run in the Citizens Bank 5K, but he knew other people participating and said that always helps make it more fun.

Beau Cabert finished second with a time of 20 minutes and 38 seconds. Cabert said the running conditions were great with near-perfect weather.

“I did better than I thought,” Cabert said. Last weekend he participated a long bike ride and was uncertain if he would be able to run at full capacity this weekend.

Chris Gordon finished third with a time of 21 minutes and 2 seconds. He agreed weather conditions were perfect for the run. Gordon’s only regret was his knee was not fully healed, and the injury had slowed him down. Gordon finished first in last year’s race.

Gordon was pleased to be joined by his 10-year-old son, Seth Gordon, who finished 11th overall with a time of 23 minutes and 58 seconds.

This was the seventh year Citizens Bank held the 5K. All proceeds from the event go to the American Cancer Society. Full race results are available at gsetiming.com.