The Soldotna Cycle Series returned Thursday at Tsalteshi Trails with a first-time champion, a record number of cyclists and a brand-new format.

The new format was adding a shorter race, in this case six kilometers, to go with the longer race, which was 12 kilometers. A total of 40 riders went for 12 kilometers, while the six-kilometer race drew another 22 riders.

Tyle Owens took his first victory in the series by finishing the 12-kilometer event in 29 minutes, 8 seconds, while Mike Crawford, who has dominated the series of late, was next at 29:24. Brian Beeson was third at 32:32.

Angie Brennan was back after losing her last summer of biking to injury, finishing at 36:18 to lead all women and take 12th overall. Morgan Aldridge was the second woman across the line at 37:52, while Jen Showalter took third at 38:47.

Landen Showalter took top honors among youth riders by hitting the finish line at 38:06, which also was good for 14th overall. Chase Laker was the second youth rider at 38:43 while Dylan Hogue was the third youth rider at 42:12.

Toby Long won the six-kilometer race at 18:59, while Kristin Morrow was the top women’s rider at 23:06.

The series continues Thursday, this time meeting at the hockey rink at Skyview Middle School. Registration for the two-kilometer kids race is at 5:30 p.m., while the kids race is at 5:45 p.m. Registration for the one- and two-lap adult races starts at 5:45, while the race begins at 6:15 p.m. The races are $5 for members of the Tsalteshi Trails Association and $10 for nonmembers.

Soldotna Cycle Series Race 1

12K results

1. Tyle Owens – 29:08; 2. Mike Crawford – 29:24; 3. Brian Beeson – 32:32; 4. Tom Kobylarz – 33:25; 5. Eric Willets – 33:26; 6. Jordan Chilson – 33:32; 7. Matt Dura – 34:29; 8. Jamie Nelson – 34:38; 9. Anthony Murray – 35:17; 10. Kevin Lauver – 35:23; 11. Aidan Willets – 35:54; 12. Angie Brennan – 36:18 (1st Place Women); 13. Morgan Aldridge – 37:52 (2nd Place Women); 14. Landen Showalter – 38:06 (1st Place Youth); 15. Rob Carson – 38:11; 16. Chase Laker – 38:43 (2nd Place Youth); 17. Jen Showalter – 38:47 (3rd Place Women); 18. Will Morrow – 39:10; 19. Jim Hall – 39:37; 20. John Pothast – 39:44; 21. Jack Laker – 40:34 (3rd Place Youth); 22. Scott Huff – 40:35; 23. Philip Smith – 41:41; 24. Dylan Hogue – 42:12 (3rd Place Youth); 25. Cassie Collins – 42:13 (W).

26. Carl Kincaid – 42:35; 27. Patty Moran – 42:36 (W); 28. James Showalter – 42:58; 29. Dana Cochran – 44:32 (W); 30. Russ Taylor – 44:55; 31. Peter DiCarlo – 46:12; 32. Paula Murray – 46:13 (W); 33. Dana McDonald – 48:38 (W); 34. Jodi Dura – 49:09 (W); 35. Madison McDonald – 50:08 (Y); 36. Ethan Hogue – 50:20 (Y); 37. Darrell Kincaid – 50:21; 38. Avery Willets – 55:17 (Y); 39. Robert Carson – 55:56 (Y); 40. Dave Edwards Smith – DQ.

6K results

1. Toby Long – 18:59; 2. Ben Boersma – 21:50; 3. Matt Brown – 22:28; 4. Kristin Morrow – 23:06; 5. Toli Boutueil – 23:20; 6. Shawn Hollenking – 23:49; 7. Joel Moss – 26:40; 8. Will Smith – 27:40; 9. Audrey McDonald – 28:40; 10. Lauri Lingafelt – 29:14; 11. Owen Huff – 30:13; 12. Heather Huff – 30:14; 13. Sheilah-Margaret Pothast – 33:22; 14. Cooper Darling Tallent – 33:31; 15. Sailor Tallent – 35:19; 16. Mike Tallent – 35:20; 17. Wanda Kincaid – 36:59; 18. Ollie Boersma – 38:41; 19. Christie Stinnett – 45:18; 20. Rosemary Dura – 47:10; 21. Teagen Kobylarz – 47:11; 22. Cailiegh Stinnett – 47:54