The 20^th Annual Run For the Son 5K Race took place in downtown Jackson, MS on Saturday, August 12, 2006. More than 350 people gathered to run or walk the 5K and 1-mile fun events at the First Baptist Church under a sunny sky and temperatures in the 80’s. This is one of the hilliest races in the Jackson metropolitan area. The scenic route passed through downtown neighborhoods full of rolling hills.

After some prayers and instructions we started the race at 8:00am. Rob Oates was the overall winner in 17:32 followed by Miles Martin (17:49) and Robert van Uden (17:57) respectively. Greg Gearhart was the first Grand Masters in 19:19, and Mark Lipking was the top Masters in 19:26. Angel Overstreet won the women race in 20:56. Yolanda Brown placed second in 21:35, and Sandra Schliesing was third, two second behind Yolanda. Donna Lee Andrew was the first Grand Masters in 22:51, and Della Hilburn won the Masters group in 23:38. Kirby Hendrix (30:08) and Tina Branan (32:43) were the overall winners in the 5K Walk while Jordan Vance and Taylor Ballard won the one-mile fun race in their respective categories.

Phillip Wedgeworth, Nestor Raul Anzola, Adrienne Hick, and Donna Sumrall represented the Pine Belt Pacers. Nestor Raul, the fastest COLOMBIAN (not Columbian) in Montague Boulevard, won the Masters title in the 5K-walk event in 32:58. Phillip placed second in his age group. Adrienne and Donna kept running strong and had a good time. We all agreed that this race was really, really, really hilly! It was a great challenge for our legs. I was glad with my performance. I was planning to run the 5K race but changed my mind at the last minute after running the Moonlight race in Meridian the night before. I feel glad with the times I have gotten in the last races, both while running and walking. I was finally able to break 23 minutes in the 5K Run Races and 33 in the 5K Walk events. Losing some weight, running more often, participating in the PBP Club speed sessions, and following the instructions of Coach Becky the Boss Ryder have given positive results. Thank you Becky.