The streets of Downtown Zanesville were flooded with runners Saturday morning as hundreds of people hit the ground running at 7 a.m.

The second year of the Zanesville Half-Marathon drew a similar crowd as year one with about 300 runners competing in the half-marathon and about 200 runners and walkers participating in the 5K and 1-mile walk.

Around 8:17 a.m. the first half-marathon runner, Tyler Smith of Columbus, crossed the finish with a clock time of 1:17:35.0. The 28 year-old male held a pace of 5 minutes and 55 seconds, according to the official preliminary race results.

Following up Smith’s finish was 24 year-old Alexander Sanso with a 1:20:48.1 clock and Meredith Kessler with a 1:22:43.7 clock time, according to the official preliminary race results.

“We did have a couple professional runners here so that was pretty awesome,” race director Hanna Luburgh-Agin said.

The race drew runners from outside the area including commentators from Columbus, Wheeling, Youngstown, Cincinnati and other areas.

Neon-yellow shirts dotted the course throughout the morning. Over 200 people volunteered their time and efforts to the half-marathon, Luburgh-Agin said.

According to the Muskingum County Community Foundation, the 2018 race raised more than $30,000 to create grants in the area of Wellness and Recreation.

Luburgh-Agin said this year’s race has raised over $20,000, although a final count has not been tallied.

“All the funds we raise go back into the community really to support projects we look for the area right of the opioid epidemic and other just health and wellness, organizations that need the money,” Luburgh-Agin said.

Although the 2018 and 2019 races saw a similar number of runners, Luburgh-Agin said the 2019 race went more smoothly than the last.

“It was a lot smoother this year. We had a lot of growing pains that first year, and we’re still learning so we’re excited for year three,” Luburgh-Agin said. “But year two was a lot less stressful.”

To view the final race results, click here.