By Don Hill, Sports Writer

Former Southern Miss track star Robin Ryder blistered a small field at the South Jones Band of Braves 5K Run Saturday.

The 31-year old Ryder posted a time of 16:42, coming in 1:47 ahead of second place finisher Jim Coll in the fourth-annual event.

"It's faster than what I've been running," Ryan said. "It is a challenging course with the hills. It is a nice course and they had a lot of volunteers helping."

This was Ryan's second race in about four months, and he plans on getting ready for a marathon race in Houston, Texas. Ryan ran for the Golden Eagles back in 1990-91, setting numerous records, including one in the steeplechase, the last Southern Miss record he own before it was broken.

"They brought the Kenyans in and wiped (his records) out," Ryan joked.

The top female was 53-year-old Vicki Copeland, who ran a 24:13, saying she a a tough time on the course.

"It was difficult for me," Copeland said. "I haven't run any hills recently. It was challenging."

Copeland said her time was a little slower than what she likes to run, but she was happy with it because this was her first run in several months.

In the over-40 crowd, Richie Sumrall won the male masters with a time of 19:27, and Terrie Hilbun took the female masters with a time of 29:22. Phillip Wedgeworth was the grand master's champion with a time of 21:26, and Becky Ryder, Robin's mom, was the female grand master's champ with a time of 27:13.

Larry Sykes took the race walking championship with a time of 31:51.