Bishop wins Stars and Stripes 5K

Myers wins women’s division, George Myers pushes for overall crown

Ray Bishop kept checking over his shoulder, wondering if his final kick had finally created enough separation from his latest challenger for the Stars and Stripes 5K crown.

The pounding of footsteps just behind him made it clear George Myers wasn't going away.

Bishop managed to hold him off, claiming his sixth Stars and Stripes championship Saturday morning, but it may have been the hardest-earned victory of them all. Bishop crossed the finish line unofficially in 18:08 to repeat as overall champion, edging Myers by only a few strides after the two battled nearly the entire race through downtown McMinnville.

"It was horrible," Bishop said with a laugh about the frantic finish. "I didn't think that kid would be with me the whole time. I thought his little legs would slow him down because I have such an advantage, but oh my goodness, that was probably the hardest race I've ever run."

While Bishop successfully defended his title, the Myers family still left with championship hardware of its own.

Mary Myers repeated as the women's champion, crossing the finish line right around the 20-minute mark. Official results are expected to be released later this weekend.

"It was really fun. I got a PR," said Mary. "Last year was the first time, but this time was even better knowing I could do it twice."

Watching her children continue the family's running tradition was just as rewarding for Anne Hunter Myers, a multiple-time Stars and Stripes champion herself.

"It's always a great day when the training pays off," said Anne. "To come out and have a fun run that turns into a great run is excellent."

Asked whether competing against family makes the race even tougher, Mary didn't hesitate.

"Yes," she said with a laugh.

That sense of family tradition is also what keeps Bishop returning every Independence Day. Winning remains the objective once the starting horn sounds, but he's chasing something bigger than another trophy.

"I really want to be in the Warren County record books for winning this race the most times. I might have broken it, I don't know," said Bishop. "But my daughter is a natural, and I really want her to have that kind of positive influence and push to win even more someday."

Look for complete race results and a full photo gallery later this weekend on the Warren County Way.