09/09/2026
RunWild Fall Classic Delivers Big-Time Racing as Host Club Shines in Georgetown
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — What began just three years ago as a vision to create a fun, competitive cross-country experience in Scott County has quickly developed into one of the area’s must-see running events.
The third annual RunWild Fall Classic took over the Georgetown Soccer Complex on Saturday, Sept. 5, bringing together runners from across the region for a full day of high school, middle school and elementary racing.
The meet entered race weekend with 1,099 athletes registered, a remarkable number for an event still in its infancy. The format featured high school athletes racing 5K, middle school competitors covering 3K and elementary runners battling over a spectator-friendly 2K course.
And while teams from throughout Kentucky turned in impressive performances, the host RunWild Running Club made sure its presence was felt.
RunWild Youngsters Put on a Show
Few performances better demonstrated the strength of the RunWild program than the 4th-5th grade girls 2K.
RunWild teammates Hadley Wilhoite and Valoree Maxberry went 1–2 overall, separating themselves from a large field.
Wilhoite captured the championship in 8:12.46, with Maxberry right behind her in 8:28.09. Stopher Elementary’s Hadley Elliott finished third in 8:33.78.
The performance gave RunWild two athletes atop the podium and showcased the depth developing within the Georgetown-based youth program.
RunWild was even more dominant as a team in the 4th-5th grade boys race.
Hudson Duncan led the charge with a third-place finish in 7:49.66, but what happened behind him ultimately secured the team championship.
RunWild placed five runners among the first 13 finishers: Duncan was third, Reece Shanks sixth in 8:02.24, Grayson Horne seventh in 8:03.40, Cooper Pour 11th in 8:21.21 and Grayson Smith 13th in 8:25.50.
That pack running propelled RunWild Running Club to the team championship with only 34 points, comfortably ahead of runner-up Rosa Parks Elementary with 78.
Huntertown Elementary’s Gabriel Meadows won the individual title in 7:38.57, followed by Brenda Cowan Elementary’s Jett Buckner in 7:45.34 and Duncan in third.
RunWild Makes Noise in the K-3 Races
The club’s youngest runners showed that the future may be every bit as promising.
In the K-3 girls 2K, Stopher Elementary’s Isabella Allen took the victory in 8:55.27, but RunWild’s Addison Williams raced to an outstanding second-place finish in 9:18.36.
Louisville TigerSharks runner Annlee Zehner was third in 9:23.44.
RunWild then placed two more runners inside the top 10, with Reagan Mays finishing fifth in 9:34.06 and Addison Floyd taking 10th in 9:50.00.
In the K-3 boys 2K, Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary’s Easton Berry claimed the individual championship in 7:58.62, edging Stopher Elementary’s Jameson Jackson, who finished second in 8:00.66. Stopher teammate Luke Idle was third in 8:19.98.
RunWild’s Silas Wright, just a second grader, delivered another highlight for the host club by finishing fifth overall in 8:29.75.
Cora Duncan Leads RunWild Middle School Girls
RunWild also landed on the podium in one of the day's highly competitive middle school races.
Beaumont Middle School’s Grace Zakowski captured the girls 3K championship in 11:44.83, followed by Woodford County Middle School’s Emmeline Zaluski in 12:19.67.
RunWild’s Cora Duncan finished third overall in 12:33.27, leading a strong RunWild contingent.
Amelia Newman added a 19th-place finish, Ava Floyd was 26th and Crystal Whitcomb finished 30th. Their efforts helped RunWild finish third in the Middle School Girls team standings with 88 points, behind champion Woodford County Middle School and runner-up Beaumont Middle School.
On the boys side, Lexington Christian’s Micah Comer won the 3K in 10:26.26, followed by Beaumont’s Jack Neal in 10:31.32 and Woodford County’s Ryland Ritchie in 10:37.52.
RunWild’s Carson Smith finished 13th overall in 12:01.22 to lead the club. His brother Conner closed hard to finish in 25th.
Woodford County Sweeps High School Individual Titles
The high school portion of the meet belonged largely to Woodford County.
Blake Porter captured the boys 5K championship in 17:58.62, leading a strong Woodford County performance. Teammate Oliver Cox was second in 18:48.70, while Red House Homeschool’s Tucker Batey finished third in 19:05.44.
Woodford County dominated the team standings with 19 points, followed by Western Hills with 55 and Nicholas County with 63.
The Woodford County girls were equally impressive.
Avery Gill won the girls 5K in 20:45.89, followed by teammate Harmony Gampper in 21:35.46. Nicholas County’s Addison McKinney placed third in 22:56.20.
Woodford County won the girls team championship with 18 points, with Nicholas County finishing second with 45.
The RunWild Team will continue their season on 9/19 where they will be competing at the Trinity Invite in Louisville.
