Though the numbers the runners and walkers wear on their outfits are assigned randomly, you have to figure it was more than just a coincidence that Wellsville native Barb Kornbau drew No. 901 for Saturday's Ogden Newspapers 20K Walk, the first number possible for a walker.

For the third consecutive year in the event, Kornbau checked in with the quickest time among female competitors, reaching the tape in a swift 2 hours, 8 minutes and 29 seconds.

Yes, the number was fitting.

Kornbau, 44, outdistanced Quaker City, Ohio's Kathy Campbell-Ervin, a past winner of the female event, by more than a minute. Ervin checked in at 2:09:57.

Third among the female walkers was Kathy Paes, of Fredericktown, Pa. (12th overall at 2:27:15), followed by Brend Pomrenke, of Williamstown (14th overall at 2:19:23), and Martins Ferry's Debbie Kuzma (15th overall at 2:21:40).

Kornbau Ñthird overall among walkers this year, male or female Ñ passed Ervin at the 10-mile mark, near Washington Avenue, and cruised from there.

"I would say I got a little bit stronger, and I think Kathy got a little bit tired," Kornbau said.

It's been one impressive step after another for Kornbau, who didn't begin competitive walking until she was in her early 40s.

This year marked the third time she's signed up for the female 20K walk, and she's won it all three times. Last year, she was the first overall finisher, male or female.

Despite the fact that the course was supposed to be easier because one of the course's two major hills Ñ Wheeling Hill Ñ was bypassed this year, Kornbau wasn't really close to the time she turned in last year, 1:56:02.

The course record, male or female, is 1:54:16, set by Bobbi Jo Chapman in 2000.

"The end was still tough," Kornbau said. "The end was really tough."

The weather might have had something to do with it, as last year's conditions were optimal for walking, running, or even having a picnic in the backyard.

Saturday's weather was better suited for ducks.

Kornbau claims she got into walking for one simple reason Ñ to lose weight Ñ and she never dreamed it would become such a fulfilling passion.

As an indicator of just how big an obsession it has become, she trained seven miles a day during the week and 12 miles on the weekends to prepare for Saturday's walk.

Last year, saying she simply wanted to give it a try, she competed in the Columbus Marathon, and finished a shade under 5 hours.

"I'm not a fan of marathons," she said. "I have to be honest, in the marathon, I didn't feel like I was a very good walker because it was more than I could handle. I didn't like the marathon at all.

"I like this."

She says she'll keep going.

"Until my grandkids take over," she said.

Irvin, a veteran of the 20K walk who opted for the 5K walk last year because she'd just had a baby, spoke highly of the temporary changes to the course.

"I felt like after we got over that first hill, the rest was going to be a breeze," she said. "Once you got to the bottom of the hill, you were at the 6-mile mark and you were halfway done.

"I think they lost some spectators because of being on the (Heritage) Trail, but other than that, it was great."

Like Kornbau, Ervin is doing this for a far greater purpose than cashing a check or receiving an award.

"With me getting older, it keeps me motivated to keep walking and exercising," she said.