There was a local flavor to Saturday’s Medical Center 10K with strong performances from area runners – led by Glasgow’s Belle Thomas.

Competing in her third or fourth Medical Center 10K, Thomas led the pack – winning the female division with a time of 38 minutes, 53 seconds.

Thomas, whose previous best finish in the race was fifth place, thought she might eventually win it someday but that it would have to be a “really lucky” day like Saturday for her to accomplish that goal.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Thomas said. “I never really expected to actually win it. I expected to do at least what I did last year, which was (39½ minutes) at a 6:20 pace. Everything kept going well. I kept thinking it was better than the pace I expected going up hills. I was like, ‘I may do better than I think today.’ ”

Thomas said she doesn’t remember where she finished last year, but used her run in that race as a blueprint for how to approach Saturday’s 10K.

“I kind of looked at last year’s run – looked where the hills were,” Thomas said. “I looked at where I could let myself ease off a little bit on the uphills and pick it up on the downhills, knowing strategically where you need to pick up the pace and maintain what you are doing and where not to blow yourself going uphill.”

The top four female runners were all local runners. Bowling Green’s Michelle Scott was second with a time of 40:08. Bowling Green’s Rachel Tinius (40:46) was third with Glasgow’s Piper Lindsey (41:48) fourth.

Belle said it was fun to be part of a strong day by local runners.

“It’s exciting because usually with the cash prizes in this race it brings in a lot of people from outside,” Thomas said. “You feel lucky if you get in the top five because it brings in such a tough, competitive field. It’s such a well-known race. It’s pretty exciting that some local runners that are good runners actually get a chance (to do well).”

In the male division, Ezekiel Kosei from Kenya was the winner with a time of 30:21. Kosei held off a late charge from runner-up Juphet Kipkoech, who finished one second behind Kosei.

Kosei said it was his first 10K win in the United States.

“I’m happy,” Kosei said. “I didn’t expect to win it. (Kipkoech) was a strong guy, so I tried to push to win.”

Luis Lunameza was third with a time of 30:32.

Jose Pulido won the 10K wheelchair division with a time of 25:03. Bowling Green’s Harlan Holmes was the male winner in the 5K with a time of 19:18, while Louisville’ Cassandra Martin was the female 5K winner with a time of 20:42.{&end}