On a beautiful, clear spring, Saturday morning, the Hattiesburg running community gathered at U.S.M. for one of the more popular races of the year, the KD 5K.  While most of the age-group favorites such as Running Bear, the gang from JCJC and others were conspicuously absent, the event still attracted about seventy runners and walkers.  The course, through the campus at Southern Miss., followed the same route as the Valentine’s Day and other similar runs.

            Robin Ryder ran one of his fastest times, finishing at 16:30, followed by Terry Sanford from Petal, Kris King, Pacers President Jim Coll, and Jerry Worley.  The story of the day belonged to Vicki Copeland, who for the second time this year was the first female runner to cross the line.  Vicki, who is fifty-something, continues to defy the principle of aging to beat ladies half her age.  Congratulations on all your hard work, Vicki!

            Former Pacers president Tony Mozingo placed first in his age group, notwithstanding the fact that Keith Barrett and others skipped the race. 

            “Heck,” Mozingo said after the race.  “It wouldn’t of mattered if the Kenyans had showed up today.  I was ‘on’”.

            Teenage runner Jonathon Geraux slashed almost a minute from his personal best by running under the elusive 20 minute mark.  His time of 19:38 earned him first in his age group.

            Several KD alumni ran and assisted in the organization of the race.  Their participation made the event enjoyable.  We thank them for having the race and Alan Carlson for scoring and timing.

            At the awards ceremony, former president Mozingo was finally presented with a pen to commemorate his two years of service to the Pacers.  Over current President Coll’s objections on the grounds that he hadn’t approved the funds, Mozingo graciously accepted the long-overdue recognition.  (Thank you, Hollie and Becky.).

            The best thing about this run every year is the cash and awards.  Everything from gift certificates to restaurants to memberships at Anatomies were given out as awards.  The race concluded in time for the USM track meet which was attended by several of the Pacers who decided not to slosh through the woods of Jones County with Running Bear and his minions.
© Tony Mozingo