Hundreds expected at 8/11 Moonlight Run

By Dave Garey / staff writer Meridian Star
 

More than 300 runners and walkers are expected to hit the track at Northeast Park tonight, using the light of a healthy-sized moon to guide them along their way.

Now in its fifth year, the Meridian Moonlight Run features a sanctioned 5K run, along with a Kids’ Fun Run and 2-Mile Walk.

While the take-off horn won’t ignite the first event until 10 p.m., people who have attended in years past recommend showing up even before the sun goes down to enjoy the full experience.

“It’s really fun. People start gathering around 7 or 8 o’clock to watch the runners do their warm-ups” said Bobby Sherrill of Meridian. “Then they stay around ‘til midnight for the awards.”

Sherrill’s son, Cameron — a University of Alabama freshman and member of the school’s cross-country team — plans to run in the 5K race.

“We’ll just be spectators and cheerers,” said Sherrill, who will be joined by his wife, Angie, on the sidelines.

Last year brought the largest turnout to date. About 600 people showed up at Northeast Park, nearly half of whom participated in a run or walk, said Mary Quince, programs director and special events coordinator for Meridian’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Though Quince expects tonight’s attendance to equal or surpass last year, she said there’s an element of unpredictability — since the overwhelming majority of people register within an hour of the first event.

Registration is officially set to be held on-site at Northeast Park between 9 and 9:45 tonight, although Quince says the process will probably begin shortly after 8 p.m.

Participants will be treated to Little Caesar’s pizza while they await the awards computation. Complimentary soft drinks and fruit will also be served, with grapes and oranges taking the place of bananas this year.

“The bananas just didn’t cut it,” Quince said.

People are also welcome to bring their own snacks, she said, and even adhere to the theme of having a Moonlight Run picnic. Entertainment by a live disc jockey is pending.

In addition to trophies covering a wide range of age categories, tonight’s most coveted souvenir is arguably the commemorative T-shirt, featuring the run’s trademark smiling moon logo.

This year’s version — with stars and a runner’s silhouette surrounding a yellow and orange moon, set against a blue background — will be given to all registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. The limited edition T-shirt was designed by Brainstorm Creative Group of Meridian.

Due to the sanctioned status of the 5K Run, Quince said, she’s getting sign-ups and inquiries from around the state — and out of state.

“We do have some new people from areas we haven’t had before, such as Pass Christian and Florida,” she said.

The repeat-runner factor is significant. Corey Rigdon of Collinsville and Logan Waites of Hattiesburg, last year’s male and female overall winners in the 5K contest, have both signed up to run tonight.

The event is attracting a growing cult of die-hard runners. However, Quince said she’d also like to boost participation in the family activities, the 2-Mile Walk and Kids’ Fun Run.

Tina James of Meridian said her 9-year-old son, Noah, can’t wait for tonight’s Fun Run.

“He’s been counting down the minutes, even practicing on the treadmill,” James said. “He’s already been in the Jingle Bell Run and the Anderson’s Cup Run, but this is the first time he’s going to run without his daddy pacing him.”

Noah himself likes the novelty of running in the moonlight: “I’m looking forward to this one because it won’t be quite as hot.”

Pepsi, Graphic Printers & Mailing Service, and Little Caesars are this year’s co-sponsors, along with the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department.

On-site registration fees are $15 for either the 5K Run or 2-Mile Walk, and $10 for the Kids’ Fun Run. Viewing the events is free. For more information, call (601) 485-1805, or just show up at Northeast Park tonight.

What: Meridian Moonlight Run with a 5K Run, 2-Mile Walk and Kids’ Fun Run

Where: Northeast Park, 7300-A Newell Road in Meridian, just off Highway 39 North

Information: Call (601) 485-1805.

Race Report:

Last Friday Charles Jackson called me and asked whether I would like to participate in the Moonlight 5K Run to take place that night in Meridian. Since I was planning to run in Jackson the following morning I doubted at first but then decided to go since Charles would be the assigned driver. We left Hattiesburg around 6:45pm, had time to stop in Laurel to eat some Subway sandwiches, and arrived to Northeast Park, place where the race would take place, at around 8:15pm. By the way, I got a PR: I got 2 hours before the start of a race! Can you believe it? We registered, recognized the course and talked with other fellow runners. Then we saw the powerful U-Coach team arrive under the lead of Pine Belt Pacer Yousri Elmejdoubi. Among the youngsters, we could see Supergirl Cory McGee and Pacers Corey Rigdon, Cameron Sherrill, and John Grenn. Mostafa and Ouafae Khannouchi were the official photographers and cheerleaders for the group. We jogged one mile as a warm-up, and we were ready for the run.

Before the race Charles was having a hard time trying to understand the route for the race. In fact, it had a lot of loops. I will include in this report the instructions that were given to the runners. I am not making this up. The flier said as follows: "5K Run: Start with one loop of softball. Then turn right and loop soccer area. Come back up and do another loop at softball. Turn left and head up toward Tommy’s. Turn left and loop the tennis area. Come back down hill and loop soccer area again. Finish with half lap of softball to the chute" - I am not kidding! Hopefully, you wouldn’t get very dizzy at the finish line.

The Kids Fun Race took place at 10:00pm, and everyone cheered for the new generation of runners. They ran two loops of the softball area. 11-year old Devin McGee, Corey’s sister, was the overall winner with a time of 5:52. The first boy finisher was 9-year old Cole Cunningham in 6:01. Third place went to Daniel Hill (6:55).

The 5K run started at 10:15pm. The temperature was still over the 80ºF mark with humidity of 500%! My goal was to complete the race in less than 23 minutes and finish ahead of Charley (sorry! I try to do the same as Audrey does in the races, trying to beat Mr. Jackson!). My strategy was similar to the one used by Audrey, start fast, create some distance, and avoid being passed by Charley in the last half mile. He is an excellent sprinter, and we know it. As there were so many loops, I could see how close or far he were behind me.

As the gun went off Yousri immediately took the lead followed by all the U-Coach gang, Joshua Clarke, and 100% Meridian runner Mike Thrailkill. I started fast and passed the 1-mile marker in 6:36; Charley did it in 6:56. I passed the second mile in 14:16; he did it in 14:56. Then, as I always do, began to slow down and Charley, as he always does, started speeding up. However, half mile from the finish line, I looped the soccer area for the second time and realized Charley was still more than 100 yards behind. I decided to speed up anyway to avoid last second surprises. Once in the softball area, I was 40 yards from the chute when I felt someone to my left flying and passing me. Guess who was this guy? Yeah, you got it! It was Mr. Charley Jackson! Man… this guy never gives up! Fortunately, he made his move a little early and gave me enough time to react and sprint to the finish line. At the end we finished very close. My time was 22:51 and his was 22:54. By the way, Charley got a new PR for the distance.

Yousri was the overall winner covering the distance in 15:18. Corey Rigdon battled to the end with Matthew Cameron and finished second in 16:13. Matthew was third, three seconds behind Corey. Pine Belt Pacers Cameron Sherrill and John Grenn finished sixth and twelve overall with a time of 17:21 and 18:20 respectively. I was 30 overall and Charley 31, fourth and fifth in the 40-49 age bracket, age group that was won by Mike Thrailkill in 17:29. Woodie Beck was the overall winner in the walk event followed by Curtis Fancher, Julia Marshall, Michael Donehew and Sybile Smith.

After the race and while we waited for the results and awards, we had some Little Caesar’s pizza, soft drinks, water, grapes and oranges. Then we returned to Hattiesburg and arrived to town around 1:15am. Thanks to the Meridian Athletic Association and the volunteers for another nice race in the calendar. Results can be consulted in their web page. © Pijume Diwesi