East Rowan High School band students got the Music Run 5K off to fast start on Saturday morning with their rendition of the national anthem and a performance by the drum corps. Heavy showers had passed by during the night but spirits were high as the runners and walkers completed 3.1 miles before finishing on the stadium track.
Chris Moore was the overall winner with a time of 19 minutes and 39 seconds while Faith Blume led the women with a top time of 24 minutes and 43 seconds. Gary Crayton and Helen Malone were the top masters (over 40) runners. Crayton had a time of 21 minutes and 25 seconds and Malone was clocked in 26 minutes and 17 seconds. The winner of the half-mile fun run was Thomas Ferguson with a time of 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
Race Director Lori Cinquemani was pleased with the turnout for the first run to support Erwin/East bands.
“East band students displayed their impressive musical talent by playing the national anthem to start the race and the drum line inspired the runners to finish the course,” she said. “I’m looking forward to next year.”
Jessica Livengood ran her fastest 5K despite the conditions being more humid than predicted. She said, “I beat my best time by about a minute and really enjoyed the course. It was especially nice running through Braunville Estates. I pushed it hard in the last mile. This is a nice race. I hope more people will hear about it for next year.”
Sponsors included Food Lion, Novant Health, the Hotdog Shack, October House Bakery, Dimensions Dance Arts and Mark Byrd of State Farm Insurance.
Complete results are at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
The Stanly County YMCA will host the Badin Lake Triathlon on Saturday, June 7. This is the closest open water triathlon to the Salisbury area and is suitable for all levels of triathletes. The swim portion is 750 yards in Badin Lake, the bike portion is 13.5 miles on a new course and the run is a 5K through downtown Badin.
Awards will be given to top three overall, three deep in each age group and for team awards. Teams can be mixed or co-ed. Participants will get dri-fit shirts, refreshments and a chance for door prizes.
Proceeds go the YMCA Strong Community Fund. Major sponsors are the Uwharrie Running Club and Vac and Dash in Albemarle.
Registration continues at www.sportoften.com and a printable race brochure is available at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org . Call Kassie Taylor at 704-982-1916 for more information. Race day registration will be at the Badin Lake boat landing.
First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury will host the ninth annual Teens With a Mission 5K on Friday evening, June 6. The 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 p.m. and it will be preceded by a fun run for children 12 and under at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments and an awards ceremony will follow both races in the church parking lot. The TWAM 5K is part of the “First Friday” downtown Salisbury promotion.
The Teens With a Mission organization at First Presbyterian has been busy with both international and national mission trips over the years. This year, TWAM will again go to San Jose, Costa Rica, to build at least one home for a family in need.
Overall and age group awards include hammers that signify the house building missions work for second and third place overall, top masters and first and second in the age groups. Overall winners get dinner for two and tickets to the Piedmont Players next production in Salisbury.
The course is the fastest 5K in Salisbury and is certified by the United States Association of Track and Field.
Participants will receive a dri-fit shirt and a goody bag.
Major sponsors include Cargill, Gordon and Carolyn Hurley, Gerry Hurley, Larry Cloninger Toyota and Ford, Bob and Sara Cook, F&M Bank, and Carl and Mary Repsher.
Online registration continues at www.sportoften and a printable race brochure is at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.