HARRIS — A race for the women’s championship boiled down to a sprint to the finish in the Off the Vine 10-kilometer run here Sunday.

Natalie Randall of Escanaba earned the title, covering the 6.2-mile course in 59 minutes, 34 seconds, one second ahead of Carla Bundgaard of Rapid River on this sunny, breezy and hot afternoon.

“It was a brutal run,” said Randall. “It was hot out there, although there were some points where the breeze felt good. This is the first time they offered the 10-K, so I thought I’d give it a try. It was a very close race. The gravel can be a little rough, although the footing wasn’t too bad. It was pretty hard-packed. It’s challenging but rewarding when it’s done.”

Buungaard says she has to have somebody to run with.

“It was nice running with somebody,” she added. “She kept me going. I tried to keep up with her, but she had more energy than I did in the end. She pushed me real hard.”

Jesse Cretens of Bark River became the overall winner in 46:18, followed by Kevin Holmes of Escanaba (55:24).

“I was really nervous in the beginning,” said Cretens. “I just wanted to go out and have fun and kept a steady pace. It’s always nice to run out in the country.”

Kali Katarincic of Escanaba was the overall winner in the 5-K (wrong time listed). She was followed by Jaimie Parrett of Menominee (23:19), Amanda Jandro of Wilson (24:56), Jenni Polfus of Carney (25:53) and men’s champion Randy McLeod of Powers (26:04).

A field of approximately 60 runners and walkers was greeted by temperatures in the mid-80s.