About 25 runners showed up for the 1st annual Petal 5K Spring Run Saturday
morning. After a few pre race instructions YMCA executive director Steven Dickery started the race. Eric Burch took the early lead and never was challenged. He finished the very challenging course in 19:14. Eric has made dramatic improvement in his running times since last year. He was completing the 5K distance in 27:00 less than a year ago. Bill Wolford was second and Keith Barrett waddled in 3rd in 21:37 carrying an extra 10lb bag of sugar wrapped around his waste. There was plenty of oranges, carola bars, powerade etc. for post race refreshments. Steven and his staff did an excellent job. You need to put this on your calander for next year. © Keith Barrett

Pijume Diwesi: The First Petal Family YMCA 5K Spring Run took place in Petal, MS on Saturday May 1.  The weather was a little humid, temperature in the 60's and
cloudy conditions.   About 30 high-spirited runners ages 7 to 70-plus made the race.  The course went around the neighborhood and had just enough hills to make it a challenge.

The race started at 8:30 am.  When the gun went off, Eric Burch sprinted to
the lead and emerged with a commanding win, covering the course in 19:14.  
He grabbed the victory by 55 second over second-place finisher, Bill Wolfarth (20:09).  Third place went to Pine Belt Pacer Keith Barrett in 21:37.   Ginger Stover was the first female finisher with a time of 25:02.

I lined up close to the front up with the fast runners.  After passing a couple of killer hills, I just slowed down and worked my way through for the first mile (7:50), and got the second mile in (16:10).  By the turnaround I was feeling tired and losing a few places.  I ended the race very slowly; the clock recorded a finish time of 25:10.  However, I placed first in my age category (I was fortunate to be in a very slow age group).

We enjoyed very much the refreshments and fruit while waiting for the official results.  The race was directed by the Petal Family YMCA.  They did a bang-up job this year, with good course markings and a very well organized race.

These are the times of the top finishers:
Eric Burch  19:14
Bill Wolfarth  20:09
Keith Barrett  21:37
Tony Phillips  22:10
Lee Peoples  22:18
Kevin Sanford  22:31
John Mark Lee  22:45
Eric Reynolds  23:32
Robin Reeves  24:16
Mike Dobbins  24:43
Anthony Lee  24:51
Ginger Stover  25:02
Nestor Raul Anzola  25:10
Sarah Stetelman  25:17
Aaron Brannan  25:32
Charles Poston  25:39
Christian Brannan  25:43
Wes Dickey  26:12
Laurie Stetelman  27:58
Jodie Lee  28:21
Candy Voss  28:44
Karen Arnold  29:27
Chris Phillips  29:31
Andy Stetelman  29:49
Tom Miller  31:26
Ginny Reynolds  31:31
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Petal Family YMCA

Runners waiting for the resul

Organizers getting the final results in record time!
 

Overall winner Eric Burch

Overall Female and family
 

Eric and Keith

Keith Barrett, first place 40-44 category, 3rd place overall

Some of the winners