How a small town race became Ohio's fastest 10k: The Minster Oktoberfest Classic 10K

A quiet October Sunday morning settles over the quaint town of Minster, Ohio. Just west of the 75 highway, the small village of around 3,000 people is only beginning to wake. It’s calm and the fresh fall air rests over the town’s streets and surrounding country roads.

As Minster stirs to life, residents shake off the slight (or not‑so‑slight) hangovers from the prior night’s Oktoberfest celebrations and make their way toward the town streets. The weekend has been full of celebrations of German traditions, beer, and food — but now a different kind of energy is rising. A spectacle is about to begin, one that has unfolded here for nearly 50 years.

Soon, these quiet roads will be overtaken by thundering footsteps and sharp breaths. A stampede of humanity, led by some of the fastest in the Midwest. As the crowds gather, the crowd of runners toe the line, ready to pound 6.2 miles of pavement before partaking in the celebrations themselves. It's the one and only Minster Oktoberfest Classic 10K.

2009 Start Line

German Roots

Throughout the 1820s and 30s, settlers embarked from Cincinnati on an epic project to build a 274‑mile canal entirely by hand. The canal's purpose would primarily be for transporting food and goods and would soon be known as the Miami‑Erie Canal. Along the 20 year journey, several of Ohio’s now‑established towns were settled along the canal's route: such as Middletown, Dayton, Toledo, and many more.

German settlers specifically, led by Francis J. Stallo, founded the town of Stallostown in 1832, just past the halfway point of the canal. They brought experienced farming skills, a divine Catholic faith, and pride in their German heritage. Four years later, the town's name would be changed to Minster after the region of Münster in Germany.

Over a century later, Minster brought about a celebration to honor that heritage by establishing its annual Oktoberfest, beginning in 1975. The festival highlights German traditions, food, music, and of course - beer! It is ran each year by a community proud of its origins.

Celebration meets Competition

The success of Minster's Oktoberfest began to blossom while at the same time, something else was blossoming across the entire country - running. As the running boom was bringing major events and races to many cities, it was thought to add in a race of their own to the Oktoberfest schedule in the small town.

In 1979, that idea came to fruition with the inaugural Minster Oktoberfest Classic 10k, led by race directors Tim and Gayle Keuhner and sponsored by the Minster Booster Club. Just over 200 runners participated the event in that first year. Rick Callison, of Piqua, won with a time of 31:37 and Sarah Bemus, of Sidney, on the women's side in 39:01.

Sarah Bemus (1980)

Rick Callison (1981)

Fun fact: both of those times are the actually the slowest times it has ever taken to win this race, nearly 50 years later. Which is pretty remarkable considering they are still pretty dang quick.

As the years passed, the race increased in competitiveness and prestige. Although, some of the best runners of the areas were showcased up in the front of the pack, the event also kept it's focus on bringing an incredible race experience for all runners to enjoy. From the race to the festival overall, there's good times to be had by everyone.

"It's not just a race for the elite, even though we have some of the best runners in the world. It's still pretty much a local race" (Tim Keuhner, 1983)

An Enduring Phenomenon

Today, the Minster Oktoberfest Classic 10k stands as a rare phenomenon — a small‑town race that has consistently produced blazing fast times and stacked fields year after year. Of the few races born during the running boom of the 1970s, even fewer managed to maintain elite‑level results as the decades passed. As professional circuits expanded, races multiplied nationwide, and top athletes began earning real money to compete, small‑town events struggled to offer a stage worthy of top‑tier runners.

Minster has never faltered. And while it may not typically be pros in the race, the best runners in the region always toe the line and make it a coveted title to win. It's a place where runners show up knowing they’re stepping onto one of the fastest 10k courses in the Midwest, and maybe the country, and there's a hell of a good party to enjoy afterwards.

The start of the 1989 race

"First, the total Oktoberfest celebration certainly helps a lot. The runners can compete and then enjoy an entire day of activity associated with the celebration." - (Tim Keuhner, 1983)

All-Time Lists

So what does nearly 50 years of blazing‑fast results actually look like when you stack them together? I started wondering what it would take to make the all‑time top 50 runners ever to race this course. And once I began building the list, I expanded it to 100—because the depth is just that good.

One unique thing about this race is that most events that last this long see course changes and adaptions over the years. But from early newspaper reports, Minster’s route appears to have stayed roughly the same for its entire history. That’s pretty awesome when you’re lining up everyone’s times side‑by‑side across generations.

So check it out! I thought it'd be a fun way to shine a light on many of the great runners who’ve taken to the streets of Minster. Wish I could see the leaderboard for beers consumed post‑race too… maybe I’d have a shot at that one.

The only results that I am missing from my lists are the 1983 men's results and 1990 women's results. If anyone has access to the official results, please contact me!

Last note: this is a call to all elites in the area to show up to Minster and continue making it one of the most stacked races in the Midwest! Who is going to make me come back and edit this list next!?

Top 100 All-Time

	Men			Women
	Name	Time	Year	Name	Time	Year
1	Julius Koskei	28:19	2012	Vicoty Chepngeno	31:57.1	2019
2	Julius Kogo	28:26	2013	Iveen Chepkemoi	32:23.8	2019
3	Cleophas Ngetich	28:33	2014	Joan Aiyabei	32:43.2	2016
4	James Ngandu	28:37.6	2019	Mary Wangui	32:53	2017
5	Emmanuel Bor	28:39	2013	Sarah Kiptoo	33:04	2013
6	Evans Kurui	28:40.4	2019	Malika Mejdoub	33:04	2012
7	Abdelaziz Atmani	28:49	2011	Molly Bookmyer	33:09.8	2022
8	Boaz Cheboiywo	28:55	2008	Maureen Cogan	33:11	1988
9	Fernando Cabada	28:57	2006	Catherine Mwanzau	33:14.7	2019
10	Patrick Cheptoek	28:58	2011	Kristy Orre	33:25	1987
11	Gavin Thompson	29:02	2004	Denisa Costescu	33:27	2003
12	Francis Bowen	29:03	2005	Valentine Kibet	33:29	2015
13	Elijah Karanja	29:04	2013	Sophy Jepchirchir	33:30	2014
14	Julius Bor	29:06	2012	Jan Murage	33:34	2013
15	Isaac Mukundi	29:07	2014	Margaret Wanjiru	33:45	2017
16	Josh Moen	29:08	2006	Susan Jerotich	33:47	2013
17	Elkanah Kibet	29:13	2012	Schengener Staaten	33:49	2015
18	Hillary Too	29:15.9	2016	Mary Wangechi	33:50	2014
19	Andy Herr	29:17	1992	Daisy Kimeli	33:52.6	2016
20	Kiprop Mutai	29:17.4	2018	Erin Vonderau	33:56	2014
21	Bret Hyde	29:19	1986	Ann Alyanak	33:56	2008
22	Brian Carlton	29:20	1984	Abgael Wanjiku	33:58	2015
23	Mike Michno	29:20	1993	Kelly Keeler	33:59	1997
24	Raymond Magut	29:20.1	2019	Gladys Yator	34:00.9	2019
25	Jameson Kabuku	29:21	2017	Gladys Cheboi	34:08.1	2016
26	Chris Lemon	29:22	2012	Joan Tangwar	34:10	2012
27	Jason Ordway	29:26	2012	Marion Kandie	34:14	2012
28	Nicholas Too	29:28	2017	Eratina Fateeva	34:16	2010
29	Kennedy Njiru	29:28.5	2019	Ludmila Stepanova	34:20	2010
30	Nelson Oyugi	29:29	2013	Dorcus Chesang	34:26	2012
31	Gordon Sanders	29:29	1990	Kristina Vegh	34:26	2010
32	Boniface Biwott	29:30	2013	Irina Alexandrova	34:28	2013
33	Jeff Rawlins	29:30	1986	Mackenna Curtis-Collins	34:30.4	2025
34	Rick Callison	29:31	1981	Molly Watcke	34:36	2012
35	Julius Kiptoo	29:34	2009	Veronicah Maina	34:37.7	2016
36	Ryan Sheehen	29:36	2010	Meg Schneiders	34:40	1989
37	Aaron Dinzeo	29:36.1	2019	Karen Cosgrove	34:42	1986
38	Roosevelt Jackson	29:37	1985	Tara Storage	34:44	2007
39	Chris Prior	29:37	1986	Allison Morgan	34:45	2012
40	Andrew Shephard	29:43	1989	Jane Kang'ara	34:46	2014
41	Jason Salyer	29:43.2	2022	Rachel Dickman	34:50.7	2018
42	Andrew Carnes	29:44	2010	Maura Lemon	34:53	2013
43	Ridge Robinson	29:47	2011	Barb Westall	34:53	1993
44	Dan Dunton	29:47	1983	Jamie King O'Shea	34:54	2002
45	Philip Lagat	29:48	2012	Debbi Kilpatrick	34:56	1991
46	Aissa Dghoughi	29:50	2012	Leigh Daniel	34:59	2008
47	Ridge Robinson	29:52	2012	Leslie Cohen-Smith	35:00	1987
48	Azzie Atmani	29:52	2008	Julie Isphording	35:05	1984
49	Kiprono Kurgat	29:53	2014	Danielle Salisbury	35:06	2011
50	Mike Korir	29:53	2003	Debbie Wagner	35:12	1990
51	Matthew Folk	29:55	2008	Laura Schwettzer	35:13	1992
52	Mathew Chesang	29:56	2005	Chris Cooper	35:13	1989
53	Ezekiel Kosgei	29:57	2017	Lainey Studebaker	35:13.1	2021
54	Ryan Kienzle	29:58	2008	Maria Scavuzzo	35:15	2018
55	Walter Rodriguez	29:58	1984	Kara Storage	35:15	2005
56	Duncan Kwemboi	29:59	2015	Christina Murphy	35:16	2013
57	Noel Hallihan	29:59	1990	Oksana Khokhlova	35:17	2008
58	John Sence	30:00	2000	Terri Lemke	35:18	1995
59	Paul Muturi	30:01	2015	Paige Biglin	35:20	2012
60	Brandon Bauer	30:01	2014	Christine Nichols	35:21	1994
61	George Rodriguez	30:02	1989	Christina Johnston	35:23	2010
62	Travis Laird	30:03	2006	Caren Maiyo	35:24	2017
63	John Poray	30:05	2011	Jessica Hoover	35:25.6	2016
64	Caleb Kerr	30:05.8	2020	Bonita Paul	35:28	2012
65	TJ Lentz	30:06	1999	Iris Black	35:28	1984
66	Craig Leon	30:07	2008	Becki Wells	35:29	2004
67	Aaron Rowe	30:10	2012	Michelle Maton	35:29	1996
68	Nik Schweikert	30:10	2010	Emily Borchers	35:29.5	2019
69	Earl Zilles	30:10	1985	Emmy Chepkirui	35:34	2014
70	Benson Kiema	30:11.3	2019	Hannah Wymer	35:35.4	2023
71	Jake Bertelsen	30:11.8	2023	Shitaye Gemechu	35:37	2015
72	Robert Gititu	30:12	2016	Terry Mahr	35:37	1993
73	Tommy Kauffmann	30:12	2014	Sammie Zishka	35:38	2017
74	Brock Merriam	30:12	1990	Sakiko Minagawa	35:44.4	2021
75	Joseph Ekuom	30:13	2005	Liudmila Stepanova	35:45	2014
76	Josh Ordway	30:15	2006	Erin Nehus	35:48	2006
77	Henno Haava	30:15	1997	Michelle Kitze	35:50	1998
78	Nathaniel Orndorf	30:15.7	2020	Michelle Pomfrey	35:53	2001
79	Jordan Kyle	30:16.9	2020	Sarah Biehl	35:54.3	2016
80	Jacob Chemtai	30:17	2013	Sophie Seward	35:54.9	2022
81	Shadrack Kiyai	30:18	2013	Karen Berndt	35:59	2012
82	Benjamin Bayless	30:19.1	2025	Larisa Mikhaylova	36:00	2008
83	Tom Anderson	30:19.9	2018	Sarah Westover	36:02	1985
84	Bryan Pownall	30:21	1985	Angela Matthews	36:06	2012
85	Lazarus Yego	30:22.8	2018	Katherine Smyth	36:08	1999
86	Scott Wenger	30:23	2001	Laurel Park	36:09	2006
87	Simon Heys	30:24	2024	Katarina Smiljanec	36:10	2023
88	Reuben Njau	30:25	1997	Julia Webb	36:12	2006
89	Tim Mylin	30:25	1996	Lori Eppard	36:13	1995
90	Walter Saeger Jr.	30:26	1981	Brooke Tullis	36:13.8	2019
91	Evan Gaynor	30:27	2014	Laura Kaulen	36:16	2012
92	Jack Randall	30:27.8	2020	Monica Joyce	36:16	2011
93	Jim Jurcevich	30:28	2006	Sarah Shelton	36:18	1994
94	Simon Kimunge	30:28.4	2022	Marie Burleson	36:22	1988
95	Philip Kamau	30:29	2011	Jill Scully	36:23	2007
96	David Gramlich	30:29	2006	Melissa Converse	36:27	2006
97	Charles Rodeheffer	30:30.6	2020	Julie Mercado	36:29.9	2016
98	Zachariah Zimmerman	30:33.6	2025	Judy Porter	36:32	1997
99	Dan Schoelein	30:35	1985	Betsy Bachtel	36:32	1989
100	Brad Cooper	30:35	1987	Kimberly Wise	36:34	1999
	Matt Lemon	30:35	2016

Just incredible. It takes 30:35 and 36:34 just to crack into the top 100 runners ever at this race. And I love that every era shows up in the list. Even as running shoes and training have advanced in recent years, the local badasses of the pre‑2000s still stand the test of time.

Vicoty Chepngeno setting the course record of 31:57 in 2019

Julius Koskei setting the course record of 28:19 in 2012

Now check out the winners from each year. As mentioned above, the inaugural edition still holds the “slowest” winning times in race history. For the men, the winning time has never again been over 31 minutes, and for the women, it’s only been above 38 twice.

James Ngandu owns the most men’s titles with four. Meanwhile, Kristy Orre, Kelly Keeler, and Denisa Costescu have each claimed the women’s crown three times.

Winners

	Men		Women
Year	Name	Time	Name	Time
2025	Benjamin Bayless	30:19.1	Mackenna Curtis-Collins	34:30.4
2024	James Ngandu	29:57.7	Hannah Wymer	35:23.5
2023	Jake Bertelsen	30:11.9	Hannah Wymer	35:35.4
2022	James Ngandu	29:41.2	Molly Bookmyer	33:09.8
2021	James Ngandu	30:38.7	Lainey Studebaker	35:13.1
2020	Caleb Kerr	30:05.8	Maura Lemon	35:32.1
2019	James Ngandu	28:37.6	Vicoty Chepngeno	31:57.1
2018	Kiprop Mutai	29:17.4	Vicoty Chepngeno	34:02.8
2017	Jameson Kabuku	29:21	Mary Wangui	32:53
2016	Hillary Too	29:15.9	Joan Aiyabei	32:43.2
2015	Duncan Kwemboi	29:59	Valentine Kibet	33:29
2014	Cleophas Ngetich	28:33	Sophy Jepchirchir	33:30
2013	Julius Kogo	28:26	Sarah Kiptoo	33:04
2012	Julis Koskei	28:19	Malika Mejdoub	33:04
2011	Abdelaziz Atmani	28:49	Ann Alyanak	34:32
2010	Ryan Sheehen	29:36	Eratina Fateeva	34:16
2009	Julius Kiptoo	29:34	Molly Watcke	35:19
2008	Boaz Cheboiywo	28:55	Ann Alyanak	33:56
2007	Boaz Cheboiywo	29:04	Tara Storage	34:44
2006	Fernando Cabada	28:57	Denisa Costescu	34:52
2005	Francis Bowen	29:03	Kara Storage	35:15
2004	Gavin Thompson	29:02	Denisa Costescu	34:25
2003	Mike Korir	29:53	Denisa Costescu	33:27
2002	Scott Wenger	30:46	Jamie King O'Shea	34:54
2001	John Sence	30:02	Michelle Pomfrey	35:53
2000	John Sence	30:00	Debbie Wagner	37:26
1999	TJ Lentz	30:06	Katherine Smyth	36:08
1998	Scott Wenger	30:34	Kelly Keeler	34:08
1997	Henno Haava	30:15	Kelly Keeler	33:59
1996	Gordon Sanders	30:09	Kelly Keeler	34:43
1995	Mike Michno	30:40	Terri Lemke	35:18
1994	Fred Keiser	30:07	Chris Nichols	35:21
1993	Mike Michno	29:20	Barb Westall	34:53
1992	Andy Herr	29:17	Laura Schwettzer	35:13
1991	Mike Michno	30:08	Debbi Kilpatrick	34:56
1990	Gordon Sanders	29:29	Maureen Cogan	33:50
1989	Gordon Sanders	29:30	Meg Schneiders	34:40
1988	Chris Prior	29:46	Maureen Cogan	33:11
1987	Bret Hyde	29:20	Kristy Orre	33:25
1986	Bret Hyde	29:19	Kristy Orre	34:21
1985	Roosevelt Jackson	29:37	Kristy Orre	34:51
1984	Brian Carlton	29:20	Julie Isphording	35:05
1983	Dan Dunton	29:47	Iris Black	36:39
1982	Jeff Rawlins	30:07	Vicki Renner	36:52
1981	Rick Callison	29:31	Joyce Oen	38:36
1980	Rick Callison	29:59	Sarah Bemus	37:20
1979	Rick Callison	31:37	Sarah Bemus	39:01

A coveted title, indeed. Lots of hard fought wins. Who's taking the crown next??

Finally, check out some photos throughout the years!

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Thank you to the Minster Historical Society for preserving archives of the Minster Community Post! And thank you to Sidney Daily News, Troy Daily News, and Dayton Daily News for recording the history of this amazing event for so many years! Photo credits to those papers.

Special thanks to Rick Callison, Jeff Rawlins, Jack Lintz, and Greg Zumberger for first hand accounts, results, and more.