Riders couldn’t have asked for a better day for the 17th Annual Akron Elks Poker Run.

A total of 329 registered for the poker run. Riders had to be back by 4:30 p.m. in order to compete for the different placings that were awarded.

Before the final names were given, Elk John Horn opened the program after everyone had eaten the meal that was prepared and served by Al and Gail English and some helpers. Cliff and Trudy Funkhouser were in charge of the paid bar, which they have done for several years. Horn led the “Pledge of Allegiance” and then recognized all the veterans that were present.

No door prizes were given this year. Horn said, “We did away with door prizes so that you can get out of here earlier than you have before. We figured it has already been a long day for all of you and we didn’t want to make it too long.”

People could buy tickets for raffle prizes and for the 50-50 drawing. Nineteen raffle prizes were given away by several sponsors of the poker run, as well as the Elks. The winners of the 50-50 drawing were then announced. Players who buy tickets for this drawing take home some of the money raised with the sales. The rest of the money goes to the Elks scholarship fund and this year they made a little over $800 for the fund. The low prize of $94 went to Tony Wells; James Padilla received second prize of $140; and the top prize of $236 went to Cindy Templeman.

The Elks then held a drawing where those who enter and don’t place may win, giving away 25 prizes of $25. It was finally time to announce the big winners. Two low prizes of $200 are awarded and then the top 15 in the run with the best poker hands were announced. Winning the low of $200 were James Lester and Marius DePlessis. Placing 15th was Andrea Medeles who won $125; Ann Tompkins won $150 for 14th place; 13th and a prize of $175 was awarded to Rebecca Redebaugh; 12th and $200 to Mike Templeman; 11th and $225 to Larry Moeller; 10th and $275 to Lloyd Enningon; 9th and $350 to Brian Peck; 8th and $425 to Jessie Vance; 7th and $500 to Denise Meroz; 6th and $600 to Senise Chavez-Swan; 5th and $650 to Esther Weis; 4th and $700 to Jennifer Degon; 3rd and $800 to Julie Sorg; 2nd and $900 to Lee Ronkee; and the first place winner of $1,100 was Michelle Krog.

After running the event for so many years, the Elks have it down to a science and riders were headed home by 6 p.m. Plans for the next poker run won’t begin for a while, but you can bet there will be an 18th annual poker run planned for next June.