The Fifth Annual 6-Day race ended Saturday with its third different winner in the last three years.

Bob Oberkehr, a first time participant in the local race, defeated last year’s winner Jerry Schuster of Tucson by over 50 miles.

Oberkehr finished with 321 miles while Schuster recorded 263.25. Schuster had 301 miles last year.

Marco Zapata of Mexico came in third with 225.75 miles and Steve Papp was fourth with 222.

Barbara Szepprethy finished fifth overall and was the top female finisher finishing with 201.75 miles to her credit.

Rick Cheever followed with 159, Debbie Zapata was next with 110.25 and race organizer Gary Cross, who competed when he wasn’t working, finished with 62.25 miles.

In the 100 mile race Debbie Goodwin was the first to finish. She was followed by Pat Young and Ana Myers.

Twelve year old Gustavo Melendez of Douglas was the overall male winner. He was followed by Marshal Nabai of Afghanistan, Debi-Pakdel Nepalzadeh Kharel of Nepal and Michel Ouelette of Canada.

The marathon is usually conducted on a track or road surface. The race at the 15th Street Park will be held on grass, pavement and dirt.

The participants competed at their own pace with the more experienced competitors taking breaks during the heat of the day and doing most of their walking in the early morning, late night hours.

Oberkehr who comes from New Jersey – just outside the George Washington Bridge near New York City says he travels all over the United States competing in races such as this one.

 “This is a big sport in Europe but there are only a few (6-day races) around the United States,” he said. “The New York course is almost 100 percent on a park path. Where as here the course terrain varies. This course takes more getting used to.”

Oberkehr said Cross has competed at the New York race on numerous occasions and has invited him to come to Douglas to compete.

“I decided to take Gary up on his offer and come to Douglas,” he said.

Oberkehr, who trains about 100 miles a week, admits he would have liked to have done better but he is happy to win.

“This is the first overall win I’ve ever had,” he said. “I won an age group national championship before but this is my first overall win.”

Oberkehr’s next race will take place in October in Cleveland, Ohio.

“It will take three to four months to regain my leg speed from a 6-Day race,” he said.

Oberkehr had high praise for Cross and the helpers he had in putting on this event.

“They did an outstanding job,” he said.

“This has been five years now and I’m hoping in the next five years this thing can really develop,” Cross said. “We’re getting bigger numbers and people are coming from further away.”

Cross feels had three-time winner John Radich been here this year this could have been a very entertaining race.

Cross said Radich was injured in a previous race and has not yet fully recovered.

“Each of the five races has been different,” Cross said “in that the weather has not been the same.”

This year the competitors had to deal with the heat, rain and gusting winds.

“I felt this was one of our better races,” Cross said. “The runners seemed to enjoy it.”

Cross said the community was really receptive to the marathoners who had nothing but good things to say about their experiences here.