The William Carey Fellowship of Christian Athletes' 5K run/walk was held on Saturday, October 2, with about 25 people participating. The morning was very warm and muggy with the temperature about 80 at race time and the humidity close to 100%. Max Lemmings came up from the coast to win the race. Max took the early lead and extended it throughout the race. Richie Sumrall edged out Jerry Worley for second place, and Phillip Wedgeworth came in fourth. The course was well marked, but Mike Cummings still wanted to take a shortcut and leave out the last 3/4 mile; however, we prevented that from happening.  Ms. Copeland (known as Vicki to us) was the female winner. It was nice to see Tony at a local race. He has been saving himself for the Ironmen events. For several years this race was known for having a short distance, but the race directors have solved that problem and we got our money's worth today. After the race we were served a breakfast, which was enjoyed by all. Complete results have been promised and will be added when I get them. © Phillip Wedgeworth

 

            On the campus of William Carey College, once the only institution of higher learning in Mississippi south of Jackson, runners and walkers from across the Pine Belt met for a rather humid but interesting 5K to support the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.  A disappointingly humid morning sacked “yours truly” early in the race as area legend Phillip Wedgeworth and his posse of Jones Countians gathered most of the hardware at the awards ceremony.  The race, a final tune-up for next week’s Hubfest State Championship 5K in Hattiesburg, also attracted some character from the Gulf Coast who drove up for the pleasure of whipping the rest of us.  Once again this writer’s hopes were dashed as I fell to eighth place overall, not even strong enough to win a medal. 

Thinking to myself that I should have just stayed in bed, I winced as the legend from Columbia, Nestor Raul Anzola, overtook me and never looked back.  I did enjoy one aspect of the race though, getting to run with my buddy Vicki Copeland, who once again was the first female finisher.  (She allowed me to hold her trophy for a few minutes after the race.)     Other than that, I just sat around and thanked my lucky stars that Elmer Beardshall decided to do a trail run rather than come to the race.  I was humiliated enough as it was.
Good time, good course and nice folks…
Photos courtesy of Phillip Wedgeworth.
Tony Mozingo, over and out

Ms. Copeland was the winning female

Max Lemmings was the overall winner

Phillip Wedgeworth is the old man winner

The award winners

A young winner

A door prize winner

Joey Burns, Jessica Merchant, Jacob Milstead,
Bobby Lawson, Richard Harbison, and Joy Stodghil

Food is the best post race reward

Max, Jerry and Nestor relax after the race

Nestor was second in his age group

Mike Boyd and Mike Cummings try to cool off

Mike Cummings was second in his age

Mr. Sumrall

Richie Sumrall was second overall

Nick is happy to be finished with the run

Tony and Vicki

Tony had to use his photography skills to
capture Mike, Phillip, and Mike