We had planned to visit some friends in the Jackson area last Saturday, April 15^th. Taking advantage that there was a family event in downtown that afternoon; we registered for the 5K-race and paid our fees 2 weeks ago. I would run or walk the 5K, and my wife Liliana and the kids would do it in the 1-mile family run. Oooops! I did not realize at the moment that the Run from the Sun and the Crescent City Classic were scheduled for the same day. Anyway, since my family was ready to participate, I decided to go for it. However, I could not run, so I would walk.

It was a hot afternoon with temperatures in the 80’s (maybe 90’s!). A crowd of almost 400 runners and walkers participated in the event. Seventeen years old Allen Gearhart of Clinton was the overall winner in the 5K run with a time of 17:33. Jamaal Jones finished second in 17:53, and Lee Walker was third in 18:28. Yolanda Brown captured the women title in 20:55. She was followed by Dace Caldwell (21:18) and Beverly Thompson who finished in 22:02. Pine Belt Pacer Larry Sikes was the winner in the 5K-walk with a time of 32:27. Carolyn Graham won the female division in 35:07. William Kazery (6:11) and Taylor Ballard (7:35) were the top finishers in the 1-mile fun race.

I started the race very strong and got the lead for the first half mile. Then I quickly paid the price for my craziness. The heat was killing me. I had an annoying dry mouth feeling, and my legs started feeling heavy (excuses, excuses! J ). Larry passed me, and I just started fading away. I tried to keep a steady pace to the end but did not work out. After mile two, another fellow Buddy Brannon passed me, and I just saw him going away. He placed second and captured the Masters title. I managed to finish in 34:15, a minute and half slower than my previous performances. I was third overall and first in my age bracket (40-49).

The Keywood family also represented the Pine Belt Pacers in the 5K run. Jerry finished in 20:45 and placed third in his age group. Jay finished strong in 21:23 but was in the fastest age bracket (15-19). Amy finished in 24:44 and got fist place in her group. My son Andres Eduardo placed second in his age group in the 1-mile run. My wife Liliana stayed walking next to my 2-years old son David Alejandro and both stopped the Jackson downtown traffic for a while J .

The race raised money for the Melanoma Research Foundation to help fund research efforts to find a cure for the deadly form of skin cancer. Before the race Dr. Ken Barraza did free screenings on more than 100 of the participants. Congratulations to the Mississippi Track Club for another very well organized race and the Leonard E. Warren Melanoma Foundation for the noble cause.