What a beautiful day for a race. The weather was cool, the flowers were blooming, the runners were ready and the cause was right. This was the 1st Annual Acorn Run at Oak Grove Upper Elementary/Bellegrass and entire families turned out to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Elvis Presley (aka Tanner McGee) was even there! Overall it is estimated that they had close to 300 pre-registered, and they raised over $5000. 

After lining up for the race at about 8:30, everyone joined together in the Pledge of Allegiance as Old Glory proudly waved in the morning breeze. Race instructions were a little difficult to hear as there were so many excited children in the race mix. Luckily, I’m always near the back of the pack and was counting heavily on being able to have plenty of runners in front of me to follow! 

The run started and immediately we discovered that Hattiesburg (or at least Oak Grove) has hills! Lots and lots of hills! Funny thing is, the down hills were all very short and the up hills seemed to go on forever! To their credit, the race coordinators had plenty of encouraging workers to point us in the right direction and tell us we were doing a great job. The course only had one small u-turn and the rest of the race you were covering new ground. It made for a very interesting run. They had water at miles one and two (and I think 2 ¾, but I’m not sure about that one.) They also had hills…have I mentioned that before? 

After the race, they pulled out the party! Sausage dogs, fruit, poweraid and water, and some of the best music I’ve heard since I was a teen! We won’t say how long ago that was, but I will mention the Beatles! This was a major block party! Some had to leave before the race results were announced, but those who were able to hang around were treated to great conversation, fun watching the little ones dance, and just a beautiful day. 

There were quite a few pacers at this run….those of us who didn’t want to drive to Prentiss….or had to go to work after our fun. If you weren’t one of those who were there, make plans next year to do this run! It’s close to home, loads of fun, and for a great cause.  

As for results….well due to a mix-up at the finish, the race coordinators weren’t able to get that info to us…so I guess we could all claim to have run in less time than we actually did….but that wouldn’t be honest. You can add your times via the forum I guess. You can check out the winners’ pictures and figure out some of it for yourself! Charles Jackson isn’t in his group….he had to go to work, but I believe he took 2nd in his age division. As for everyone else...how about writing into the forum and letting us know who you are and what your time was!