The Sandhills Race Series completed its kick-off year with the announcement of the 2011 Spring Series Champions’ Club at its awards ceremony on June 25 at Mellow Mushroom in Southern Pines.

The Champions’ Club includes the Spring Series Overall Female and Overall Male Grand Prize winners as well as first, second, third place and honorable mention female and male winners in nine separate age group categories from 10 years and under to 60 years and over.

Winners were determined by individual point totals accumulated from participation and performance points awarded in Spring Series races, including ShamRock N’Roll 5K or 10K, Run for the Ribbons 5K, Disabled American Veterans 5K, and MANNA in Motion 5K or 10K.

Based heavily on participation, the SRS point system provides an extra incentive for all ages and abilities to run or walk in a community race to benefit a charitable cause. Out of the record 2,000 individuals from age 6 to 76 ­participating in the Spring Series, the following individuals accumulated prize-winning totals:

Grand Prize Overall Female Champion: Kelly Tolentino, 38 years, Pinehurst.

Grand Prize Overall Male Champion: Becket Killam, 16 years, Pinehurst.

Youth/Young Adult Age Group Champions include: (10 & Under) Emma Reinhardt, Florence Dolan, Amelia Hollrah, Valerie Newell, Thomas Reinhardt, Tyler Gulnac and James Taylor; (11-14) Abby Verchick, Emma Hollrah, Aleksandra Majka, Joe Reinhardt, Ben Hollrah and Patrick Dolan; (15-19) Savannah Merritt, Sarah Brown, Dixie Acorn, Sean Flanagan, Peter Deucher and Michael Craven.

Adult Age Group Champions include: (20-29) Emily Colthart, Bridget Ingram, Cindy Cook, Craig Rodland, James Bevers and Billy Turner; (30-39) Jennifer Bailey, Clare Reinhardt, Maggie Bonecutter, Joanne Gulnac, Tyler O’Neill, Jamie Newell, Damon Gulnac, Jeremy Knabenshue, Seth Morla and Ian Scott; (40-49) Chris Kubiak, Kate Hollrah, Sherry Wolfgang, Jane Hall, Wayne Deese, Tim Sullivan and Mark Rasdell; (50-59) Maren Anderson, Taniya Smith, Joan Baggett, Carol Dolan, Steve Sims, Tom Loy and Rick Dolan; (60 and Over) Carole Landoll, Irene Russell, Susan Purser, Darrell Simpkins, Roger Coffey and Freddie McKenzie.

The Grand Prize Champions were awarded a gift card to Running Warehouse, a free massage from FirstSpa, a champion medal and SRS gear. All award winners also received medals and SRS performance wear T-shirts. Individuals participating in all four Spring Series races received bonus SRS summer training hat.

In addition to the presentation of the Champions’ Club, the SRS recognized its sponsors, partners and over 300 race volunteers at the ceremony.

SRS sponsors include: FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mellow Mushroom, Sandhills Dig and The Pilot.

The Sandhills Striders running club is a major partner.

The village of Whispering Pines, Carolina Horse Park, town of Carthage and town of Southern Pines were also recognized for their cooperation and commitment to traffic and course safety during race events.

For a complete listing of Spring Series point totals and more information about sponsorship, registration or volunteer opportunities for the upcoming fall races, visit sandhillsraceseries.com or contact Sallie Beth Johnson at (910) 528-2302.