The first Uplifting You 5K sponsored by the East Metro Church of Christ was held on Saturday, January 24 on a very cool wet day. I woke early to a temperature of 57 and drove to Jackson in a light rain; however, the temperature dropped about twenty degrees before the race started. I was wondering if I had good sense, but I knew the answer was "no." I got to the race site and tried to warm up in a steady rain. Luckily the rain stopped in time for the race, but most of us were already wet by then. This was the smallest crowd that I have ever seen at a Mississippi Track Club event. I guess some people were smart enough to stay out of the rain. After a few instructions from Jack Ward, MTC race director, we were off and running. Jody Obletree, who has lost over 40 pounds in the last couple of years since he started running, took the early lead and won the 5K. Bryan Lagg, who was running with pneumonia and two stress fractures in his foot, came in second and took the Masters award. Since Carlos had enough sense to stay out of the rain and Mark Lipking, who does not have enough sense to stay out of the rain but did show up for this race, I was able to win the Grand Masters and came in seventh overall. James Shadnaigle was the Senior Masters winner. Teresa Crothers was the female winner. Joni Hutton was the Masters female winner, and Cathy Ward was the Senior Masters winner. Eric Weill also represented the Pine Belt Pacers by placing in his age group. This was possibly the flatest course in Jackson, but the wet surface and strong head wind for the first mile made for a slow race. Thanks to Jack, Jim, and all of the others who worked so hard in poor weather conditions to make this race a success.
© Phillip Wedgeworth