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The twenty-third annual Run for the Son, which is sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Jackson, was held on August 8 with a very nice crowd present. There were 818 people participating in the run, walk, and one-mile run. After a few instructions by MTC's Jack Ward, we were off and running possibly the hardest 5K in the state. The temperature was 85 in the shade with very high humidity. The road surface was probably 10-15 degrees warmer, and the heat and the numerous hills took their toll on many of the runners including me. Caleb Hammons seemed to have little trouble, however, finishing first with a time of 17.02 just eight seconds ahead of Allen Gearhart who says he is getting old at the age of 20. Chasity May was the first female finisher with a 21.47. David Shumate and Beth Krapac were the Masters winners. David even broke with his normal form and wore a shirt for the after-race picture. Greg Gearhart and Mary Lohrenz were the Grand Masters winners. David Smalley and Monica Thompson were the race walk winners. Lance Cooper and Caroline Ford were the Masters winners in the race walk. Bennett Randman and Janet Boersma won the Grand Masters in the walk. For the second week in a row, the race walkers have had five-year age groups just like the runners have had for years. The Pine Belt Pacers were represented by Gary Thornton, Ray Henderson, Bo Henderson, and Phillip Wedgeworth. Bo and Phillip placed in their age groups. After the race we enjoyed plenty of bananas and water. One of the best things about this race is that afterwards, we can go inside, shower, and have the awards ceremony in air conditioned comfort. This is the second largest 5K that the Mississippi Track Club has every year. This is also the second Jakcosn area race in a row to give nice technical fabric shirts. The Watermelon Classic is the only one that it bigger. As always the friendly, helpful people are a pleasure to be around. Visiting with friends before and after the race is as much fun as running the course and a lot less painful. Thanks to the FBC staff and the MTC for all of the hard work. © Phillip Wedgeworth | |
