Weather no obstacle for many at UMW 5K for missions
Occasional snowflakes fell along the race course on Saturday morning as runners and walkers made three loops around City Park in the United Methodist Women 5K for Missions.
Heavier precipitation held off and cool temperatures made for some fast times around the course, the only one of its kind in Salisbury.
Anthony Nero was the overall winner with a time of 18 minutes and 2 seconds, followed by Chance Brown in 18:36 and Martin Thorne in 18:59. Jean Hargett easily paced the women’s field with a time of 21 minutes and 50 seconds. Second female was Susan Livengood with a time of 24:55, and third belonged to 9-year-old Emma Calvert with a time of 25:20. Jacob Walker beat a large field as he won the 1 mile fun run with a time of 8 minutes and 4 seconds. Abby Calvert led the girls with a time of 8 minutes and 30 seconds.
“Runners like the closed loop course and spectators can see just about all the way around. My time was slightly faster than last year, so I am happy with that,” said Chance Brown, last year’s winner and second place finisher this time around.
Race director Laura Shaffer said, “We didn’t have quite the turnout that we did last year, but overall we did very well. I especially want to thank the Salisbury Police Department for protecting the course, and all of our volunteers. It was great to see so many young runners out today. Our UMW projects will get a big boost from the 5K and various charities will be the big winners.”
Sponsors for the event included Crescent Construction Services, Koontz & Smith attorneys, Dr. John C. Webb, Distinctive Naturescapes Inc., Rowan Regional Medical Center, The Animal Care Center of Salisbury, Restoration Plus Services, Longhorn Steakhouse, Steve and Nancy Haines, Wayne and Pam Koontz, Swicegood Paper and “Nana, Poppa, and grandkids.” Results are at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org