Kick fior Kids Race Report

The first annual Kick for Kids sponsored by the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Columbia/Marion County was held on Saturday, October 21 with a group of thirty-three people in the 5K and many more in the one-mile fun run. Keith Barrett was the race director and had things well organized. Howeverthe city officials were not organized and did not show up to open the rest rooms, but luckily a fire department was nearby and we were able to use their facilities. After a few simple instructionsfrom Keith, we were off and running. Jim Coll took the early lead, but he was hard pressed by the fastest Columbian in Columbia(usually he is not in Columbia, but somewhere else) for the first few yards, and then Nestor decided to take it easy on Jim. Jim has been working very hard, and it definitely is showing in his times. He won with an 18.35. Richie Sumrall was second overall and took the Masters with a 19.26. Phillip Wedgeworth was the Grand Masters winner. The first female winner was Kayla Stricker who ran an impressive 21.19. Audrey Jackson was the Masters winner, and Vicki Copeland won the Grand Masters. After the race many people won nice door prizes, and we had good food and drink. Much Thanks to Keith for doing a good job with this race. © Phillip Wedgeworth See Results.

Kick for Kids Race Report Addendum

This is just a little addendum to the report from the race in ColUmbia. Before the race, the fastest ColOmbian in Montague Blvd arrived to ColUmbia and met with some local ColUmbians. The ColUmbians ladies were very nice and made the ColOmbian feel at home. Then the ColOmbian was very happy and thankful with his new ColUmbian friends and try to show the ColUmbians he could be a good adopted ColUmbian and would also like to be the fastest ColOmbian in ColUmbia. As it was already reported, the local fastest ColUmbian in ColUmbia hard pressed Mr PBP President Coll in the first 50 yards of the race. However, he gave up soon, and was rapidly passed by the fastest RichieSumrallian in Sumrall, the quickest Oliverian in Lamark County, the speediest Stricker brothers in Forest County, the quickest Wedgeworthian in Laurel, and the promptest Uleryan In Hattiesburg. Then after 400 yards, the fastest ColUmbian in ColUmbia had to battle for the eighth place with the fastest adopted ColUmbian in ColUmbia (in other words, the fastest ColOmbian in ColUmbia). At the end the fastest ColOmbian beat the fastest ColUmbian claiming the award for the quickest ColOmbian in ColUmbia. As a new adopted ColUmbian, the ColOmbian also received the cash prize given to the top ColUmbian in the ColUmbian race. The ColOmbian just cried in the award ceremony and gave thanks to the ColUmbians and the visitors of ColUmbia for all their continuous support and encouragement during the event. After the race, the ColOmbian called her wife in ColOmbia (South America) to tell her about his nice adventure in ColUmbia, Mississippi.

After running a couple of extra-miles, the fastest ColOmbian in Montague Blvd joined Becky the Boss Ryder, the cool Presidente Coll, Vicky Powergirl Copeland, and the cutest-greatest- bestest-loyalest USM Golden Eagles fan, Dawn, for breakfast at a local restaurant, the North Gate Coffee Shop. We talked about everything and everyone :) and had a lot of fun. At the end of the day, the fastest ColOmbian had to spend his "award cash prize" paying his bill in the cafeteria. He was charged just $12.00 for a plate that included 2 pancakes with not syrup, 2 eggs, 2 sausages, and 2 micro-cups of coffee. I'll be back!

Anyway, we had a lot of fun in ColUmbia. Thanks to Keith and Deborah Barrett for a great job in the first edition of this race. Mark it in your calendar for next year. It's a nice course and raises money for a great cause. © Pijume Diwesi