Rowan’s only remaining night race had everything a runner could want last Friday evening. Moderate summertime temperatures and humidity, plus post-race favorite refreshments from Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme and Food Lion and fast courses for the whole family.

The main event 5K had top performances from Matthew Martin, a 28-year-old speedster who was born in China Grove, and Megan Osborne, who moved to town at 5 years old. Martin was the overall winner in 14 minutes and 55.3 seconds, topping second place Jorge Clemente who posted 15:55.6 and third place Bricen Burleson in 16:22.8.

Osborne, 19, led the females at 18 minutes, 56.5 seconds, ahead of second place Elise Wrenholt at 19:25.4 and third place Katie Efird at 19:58.0.

Matthew, along with brother Jonathan, has been at the forefront of Rowan County running for more than a decade and led from start to finish. He said, “I always love coming home to race and it was a really fun night!”

Osborne didn’t realize that she was winning and was only looking for a PR (personal record). She first competed in the race in 2013 and ran most of them since. Megan said, “It is one of my favorite races and the community really shines. The course is fast and the weather was great. I have won a couple of local 5Ks and a half-marathon in Hendersonville.”

John Gillespie of China Grove decided at the last minute that he wanted to enter the race after suffering multiple strokes in 2022. He said, “This was my first 5K since 2021, I am glad it was a flat course because I had to put on my knee brace with a mile to go. Thank God I was able to finish it.” Gillespie posted a time of 68 minutes, 25.3 seconds.

Young runners also competed in a 200-yard Tot-Trot and a half-mile fun run. A total of 293 runners completed the 5K. Primary sponsors were the Town of China Grove, The South Rowan Y Service Club, Pizza Hut and Food Lion. Proceeds benefit the South Rowan YMCA We Build People scholarship programs.

Complete results and more information on other upcoming races including the Shiloh Run for Missions 5K on June 29 in Faith can be found at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Several years back, I wrote about a kidney needed for Tom McDaniel, longtime Salisbury Parks and Recreation employee and area basketball official. Tom’s kidney function continues to decline, and his dialysis is no longer able to be done at home. His port for that procedure became seriously infected and he now must go in for dialysis that requires 3-4 hours, three days per week.

Tom has some healing to do to get past the infection. He had recently received a call about an available kidney a couple months ago, but that one could not be used. If you would like to find out more about the kidney donation process, please call Tom’s wife Judy, a Salisbury Parks and Recreation volunteer. Judy’s cell number is 704-798-6064.

A quick update on my post-accident recovery has some positive things. I started walking at the suggestion of the spine doctor and Doctor of PT Pam Roseman on June 3. I had worked up to .66 of a mile at the writing of last week’s column. This week has been even better with now three consecutive walks of 2.52 miles. Yes, I am using my running watch to measure these walks in the hopes that one day my spine will support running again. Two big positives also this week include the ability to lay down flat for the first time today, an effort that had been too painful previously. The other positive focuses on the legs and body that are now much weaker. One of my favorite activities on the farm is to give the horses their hay. Just now, prior to finishing this column, I slowly and safely climbed the ladder to the loft and did it. Thanks for those wonderful prayers!