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This weekend, during the opening of the Lights Spectacular, the First Christian Church hosted a 5K. 120 racers registered for the 3.1 mile course. According to Walter Hudson, co-coordinator for the race, "This is an incredible number of runners for a first year race." He and Dawn Capra, fellow co-coordinator, had only expected close to 70 racers.

The course ran down Avenue F approximately 1 ½ miles and then turned back and finished where it began. A few residents turned out to watch, lawn chairs in tow. One even reported a runner grabbing a rock off the ground to smash a snake crossing the road and then kept on running. Medals were awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for each age group as well as a medal for male and female Overall winner and Overall Masters (for the over 40 group). Door prizes were also given away.

Male Overall winner was Alex Romriell, age 24, with a time of 19:11 and the male Overall Master was Doug Pautz, age 57, with a time of 19:30. For the women, the Overall winner was Audrey Peterman, age 26, with a time of 22:39, and the Overall Master was Jamie Belinne, age 42, with a time of 23:27.

A few Johnson City residents medaled: Morgan Cowsert and Katy Helpenstell took 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 12 and under age group for females. Meghan Seales (age 13), Katelyn Barrientes (age 13) and Samantha Lefford (age 17) took 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 13-19 age group. Julie Storer took 2nd in the 45-49 age group with a time of 29:14 and Joni Topper received 3rd place in the 50-54 age group. Two women did run in the 75 and over age group logging times of 31:12 for Vonda Lee Fedorno (age 75) and 38:52 for Martha Long, also age 75.

Representing Johnson City for the men, Colt Cowsert and Morgan Linsey got 1st and 3rd in the 12 and under age group; Andrew Makare (age 17), Jim Phillips (age16), and Chris Reveal (age 17) won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the 13-19 age group; Allen Hudson won 1st in the 25-29 age group, Andrew Corpus won 3rd in the 30-34 age group, and Earl North won 1st with a time of 26:11 in the 50-54 age group. For the over 70 runners, four runners competed with the best time by Luke Oliver, age 76, coming in at 30:26.

We would like to thank our sponsors for their generous donations and ask that all Johnson City residents support them: Johnson City Bank, Cattleman’s National Bank, Croft’s Funeral Home, American Fireworks, Phillips Insurance Agency/Germania, Zachary P. Hudler, Attorney-at-Law; Glass Solutions, Adam’s Insurance, Super S, Lonestar Paving, Boot Hill Herbs, Guardian Title, Judy Weirich Cleaning, Johnson City HealthMart Pharmacy, Dairy Queen, C&C Diner, Odiorne Feed, Harvest House Meat Market, Brenda’s Creations, and PEC.

The 5K will benefit city or county residents who need help with basic daily needs. If you have questions about this fund or know of someone in need, don’t hesitate to contact First Christian Church at (830) 868-9066. Blaze the Bulb will be back next year for our second annual Lights Spectacular 5K so start training now so you can join him!