An unseasonable spring snow storm didn’t stop 377 intrepid runners and walkers from conquering the weather and challenging terrain at the 47th Annual Medicine Hat College (MHC) Rattler Run on Saturday.

Medicine Hat Bulldog’s Alejandro Ayala had the best performance of the day, defending his 2025 title in the men’s 5 km event. The 17-year old jumped out to an early lead and cruised to victory over the snow-covered and hilly course. Ayala’s time was 17:13, 31 seconds better the runner-up Logan Pancoast from the MHC’s Rattlers. Andrew Vis placed third.

MHC’s Reyna Woodruff triumphed in the women’s 5 km. She clocked a time of 22:49, 9 seconds ahead of Calgary’s Erin Nordstrom-Young. Eagle Butte High Schooler Sarah Laturnas took the bronze medal.

Medicine Hat’s ageless wonder Darryl Smith dominated the men’s 10 km race. The 57-year Smith recorded a time of 39:43, 75 seconds better than Medicine Hat High’s Ethan Mellish. Brett Young placed third.

MHC’s alumnus Becky Ross won her third Rattler Run women’s 10 km title in the last four years. Ross’s time was 41:58. A pair of current MHC runners, Pheonix Asprey and Ellie Barlow, took the silver and bronze positions respectively.

In the 3 km fun run, 11 year old Olivia McWilliams was the first overall finisher. Chayce Rude placed first among the boys.

A dramatic mid-race fall by the two-time defending champion Daniel’s Dip Ferry Pickle proved to be the turning point in the always popular Mascot Race. Capitalizing on the Dip Ferry’s stumble, AHS’ Medic the Moose took the lead and held on for a narrow victory over the fast closing Pickle. MHC’s Rowdy the Rattler placed third, just ahead of the Co-op’s Cooper the Bear.

Next year’s Rattler Run takes place on April 24, 2027.

Full results are posted at https://my.raceresult.com/388817/live