PERU – There was a new winner in this year’s edition of Peru State’s Nebraska’s Toughest Mile which was held on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Peru.

There was almost a repeat winner, but Triston Perry (Peru) pulled away from two-time winner Noah Temme (Fairmont) near the end of the race. Perry won the race in a time of 6:23. Temme finished second with a time of 6:34.

Nearly 70 runners took part in the annual event.

Ashlei McDonald (Tecumseh) won the women’s race in a time of 7:22. Runner-up for the females was Kristen Billings (Auburn) who had a time of 8:52.

The race, coordinated by the Peru State Bobcat women’s cross country team and Coach Katy Billings, saw the individuals navigate the three tough hills in the city of Peru. The run began at the north end of downtown Peru and finished on the College’s campus. The toughest part of the course is considered to be running up the infamous “Gutbuster Hill” which is just north of campus.

Coach Billings and her team provided awards to the following age group winners (Hometowns are provided where available):

Ages 0-13

Female – Winner – Kristen Billings (Auburn) – 8:52

Second – Izzy Scheele (Beatrice) – 10:42

Male – Winner – Adam Brion (Auburn) – 8:27

Second – Rylee Zimmerman (Lincoln) – 9:10

Ages 13-18

Female – Winner – Ashlei McDonald (Tecumseh) – 7:22

Second – Virginia Kouba (Auburn) – 10:41

Male – Winner – Triston Perry (Peru) – 6:23

Second – Zayne Zimmerman (Lincoln) – 6:37

Ages 18-29

Female – Winner – Taylor Coonce (Falls City) – 12:45

Second – Samantha Wilson (Holton, Kan.) – 7:16

Male – Winner – Noah Temme (Fairmont) – 6:34

Second – Seth Zimmerman (Auburn) – 7:16

Ages 30-39

Female – Winner– Sarah Hopkins (Lincoln) – 9:04

Second – Jessica Bryceson (Beatrice) – 10:33

Male – Winner – James Cole (Lincoln) – 7:05

Ages 40-49

Female – Winner – Kristy Wilson (Holton, Kan.) – 10:34

Second – Connie Zimmerman (Lincoln) – 13:11

Male – Winner – Ryan Roth (Nebraska City) – 7:32

Second – Randy Kouba (Auburn) – 10:09

Ages 50 and up

Female – Winner – Julie North (Auburn) – 12:28

Second – Kristy Crissler (Kansas City, Kan.) – 12:30

Male – Winner – Tim Borchers (Nebraska City) – 8:32

Second – Steve Scoville (Elwood) – 10:16

In addition, Billings added that she wanted to extend thanks to the City of Peru, Peru City Hall, Peru State and its Campus Services, Brenda Lutz, athletic director Wayne Albury, and all of the participants and other contributors.