The "Run for Love" race was held in USM campus on Saturday February 24. The weather conditions were good for setting new PR’s. Over 100 of runners ran this race, which demonstrates there are always good reasons or "excuses" for running. One of the most pleasant is LOVE. Many Pine Belt Pacers ran the race always supporting the running events in the area. Also, the club has a table to promote their activities. Running is a sport which is a healthy and cheap way to get in shape.

The race started at 8:00 A.M., in the middle of the marching band practice field.The fast Robyn Ryder easily took the lead followed by all the other runners and some happy walkers.

Robyn won the race with a time of 17:27, followed by the newest PBP Terry Lawhead with 18:32 and Matt Welch came in third with 20:02. The Women category was taken for Sheryl Chatfield on 20:12, followed by Anna Smith with 23:14 and Shelly Ingwerson with 23:32. Judging from the winners in the couple’s category, also PBPs, Audrey / Charles Jackson and Ashley / Brian Bailey we can say that Love is in the Road, not in the air. I want to make special mention of the runner Donna Sumrall who is improving really fast and ran the 5K in 28:26 minutes and is training hard for her first half Marathon in Nashville next April.

I cannot say anything about what happened at the end of the event like refreshments, awards, compiling results, etc…I wasn’t there…I had to leave early, that day. I hope somebody else completed this report with the details I am missing.