ROCKINGHAM — A record number of runners came out Saturday morning for the annual Run for the Ribbons 5K and 1-mile Family Fun Run, according to Discovery Place officials.
Katie Herndon, director of DPK said there were around 275 finishers for the fun run and 337 for the 5K, a challenging downtown course with hills and a jaunt along Hitchcock Creek.
“We are thrilled with this year’s turnout for Run for the Ribbons,” Herndon said. “We had over 700 registrations and the Discovery Place Kids and Foundation of FirstHealth staff and volunteers worked extremely hard all week to ensure another successful event.”
DPK Manager Jessica Tullar describes the course as “tough. Seriously tough.”
“The weather held off but it was hot and muggy,” she said. “None of that matters though when you see all those blue shirts running up Love Lane and hear the runners cheering each other on. That’s what this event is really about. Having fun, getting healthy, and conquering Love (Lane).”
Nick Fuller was the first male to make it across the finish line at 22 minutes and 18 seconds. Kaitlyn Huff, the female winner, was about two and half minutes behind with a time of 24:47.
Herndon was also impressed with the Munson family out of Raeford.
She said Jason Munson won second place in the male 30-39 category, while his daughters Liberty, Aurora, Justice won first, second, and third, respectively, in the female 10 and under category and his son Maxwell one first the corresponding male category,
Mom Talene and 3-year-old Freedom also ran the 5K.
The race is put on by he FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Foundation and Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham with the funds raised going toward programs focused on healthy lifestyles, including fitness, healthy eating and education.
“We have such amazing support from the City of Rockingham and the Rockingham Police Department and that makes the Run for the Ribbons one of the best 5Ks in the region,” Herndon said. “Thanks to our generous sponsors, supporters, staff and volunteers, everyone who participated is a winner.”
