By David Freeze
For the Salisbury Post
Hot conditions over the last few days didn’t deter one of the largest turnouts ever for the 14th Annual Run/Walk for the Greenway.
More than 260 total finishers completed the 5K and the half-mile Fun Run. Temperatures were already hovering around 80 at the 8 a.m. start. The humidity was enough to make spectators sweat by the time the horn blew to send the runners on their way over the course that uses the Greenway, Knox Middle School area and the Eagle Heights neighborhood.
Overall winner was Bob Marchinko of Salisbury, running just his second race since turning 40 years of age. Marchinko covered the course in a time of 16 minutes and 35 seconds.
“The heat was really bad,” Marchinko said. “By the time I made it to the first mile, I knew it wasn’t going to be the day for a fast race.”
His normal 5K time is about 45 to 60 seconds faster. Ross Oden was second with a time of 17:16 and Cole Honeycutt followed in 17:41.
Top female runner was Carly Swanson with a time of 19 minutes and 13 seconds. Second was Olivia Myers in 21:11 and third was Hunter Latimer in 21:22.
Seven-year-old Will Koontz won the Fun Run in a time of 3 minutes and 59 seconds. Lyndsy Niegel was second in 4:02 and Steven Lescoe was third in 4:09.
The Greenway 5K is a joint presentation by Salisbury Parks and Recreation and the Salisbury Rowan Runners. Sponsors for the event were Rowan Regional Medical Center, Cheerwine, Sportrax, Food Lion, Apple Baking Company, Krispy Kreme, Chick-fil-A, Marathon Business Center, Xerox and Knox Middle School. The Salisbury Police Department and Fire Department were both on hand to keep the runners safe.
Race director Steve Clark was pleased with the turnout.
“It was the second straight year of these hot and humid conditions, but we had one of our biggest races ever,” he said. “I was pleased all week that the registrations kept coming in, even as the temperatures kept going up. Our volunteers and sponsors were great.
“As usual, we are blessed to have such fine work done by the police and fire Departments. Everyone made the best of the warm conditions.”
All proceeds benefit the Salisbury Greenway system. Race results are available at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.