Against a very strong field, Carson High School star Zach Marchinko pulled away to win the 19th Annual Main Street Challenge 5K in China Grove on Friday night. Marchinko took the lead at the halfway point to grab a convincing win in Rowan County’s biggest race. Marchinko won with a time of 15 minutes and 46 seconds, just ahead of Jamestown’s Stevven Anderson who took second at 16:01. Justin Pfruender of Winston-Salem grabbed third in 16:07.

Shawanna White of Columbia, S.C., topped the women with a time of 17 minutes and 54 seconds. Charlotte’s Sarah Duffy was second in 18:23, edging out Loring Crowley of Winston-Salem who finished third in 18:26.

Zach Marchinko’s dad, Bob, is a former winner of the race and was his son’s coach at Carson. Zach graduated high school on Saturday morning and is headed to UNC Charlotte to continue his running career this fall. He said, “I didn’t take the lead till just after the turnaround and felt good the rest of the way. It was only my third race on a road course.”

Top Masters runners were Orinthal Striggles of Columbia with a time of 16:50 and Crystal Karriker who posted 22:40. Grand Masters winners were Charlotte Matheny of Greensboro with her clocking of 28:36 and Jim McKeon of Mooresville with a strong 17:28.

A 200 yard Tot Trot for ages 5 and under and a half mile Fun Run for kids, 12 and under, preceded the 5K main event.

Race director Aaron Crowe of the South Rowan YMCA said, “This was an amazing night. Great runners and no weather issues made for some tight racing and it was good to have a local winner, something that hasn’t happened often. The Town of China Grove partners with us to welcome all the runners and walkers to town and provide a safe event. We couldn’t do this without the Y staff and all of our other volunteers and sponsors. All proceeds go to the YMCA programs.”

Sponsors included Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pizza Hit, Krispy Kreme, Food Lion and the Y Service Club. Complete results are at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org