Lemons, Copeland claim run titles at RotaryFest

By Don Hill, Laurel Leader Call

ELLISVILLE - Max Lemons of Biloxi breezed through the Ellisville RotaryFest 5K Run Saturday morning , taking first by almost two minutes ahead of the next runner.

“I liked the course. It was a little short, but I liked the hills,” Lemons said. “It was a nice little compact course.”

Lemons posted a time of 15:17 as 17-year old Michael Lindley came in second place with a time of 17:13, but first in his age group. The run started at the Baptist Student Union at Jones Junior College and the runners toured the campus.

Vicki Copeland posted a time of 21:19 to win the women's division. Veteran runner Phillip Wedgeworth won the Grandmaster division and Martin Ray Sartar took first in the Master's division.

In the 20 to 39 group of men, John Oliver took first place and Keith Helpp was second. For the guys 40 to 49, Vance Flosenzer was first and Ray Martin took second. In the 50-59 year olds, Michael Deeton was first and Bob Clark took second. Ed Walker won the 60-and up age group.

In women's categories, Becky Ryder was the grandmaster winner and Martha Ray Sartar was the master's winner.

In the 30-39 age group, Dawn Smith was first and Leigh Anne Fletcher was second; and in the 20-29 age group, Jenna Spears took first and Ashley Calhoun was second. In the 19 and under group, Chrisandra Brown took first place.

In the one-mile fun run, Clint Sasser, 9, took first with a time of 7:17 for the boys and Anna Kepley, 5, was first for the girls with a time of 11:30.