Competitors give it their all at fitness 5k race
Felicia Lockey
|
Despite the mud, rainy weather and extremely cold temperatures, ABAC's first fitness 5k race was a big success.
"Coach Ballenger and I began planning the 5k in the summer," Advisor to the Fit and Health Club Joe Wilson said.
The Fitness 5k race took place on Saturday, Jan. 16, on the Red Hills Tennis Complex. Although the race was said to begin at 9 a.m., the official starting time for the 5k began at 9:02 a.m.
Besides the actual 5k race, which is approximately three miles, other events were held as well. Participants running the 5k, and the ones not running the 5k, had the chance to participate in the one-mile fun run and the chance to get vaccinated. Nurses set up a table next to the Red Hills Tennis Complex where they took participant's blood pressure, heart rate, and gave free H1N1 vaccinations.
The 5k race and the one-mile fun run were held on the track where the race began and ended at the finish line at the Red Hill tennis complex. The 5k course was two loops through the college campus and the one-mile fun run was a single loop. Out of the estimated 80 participants, about 30 consisted of students.
However, it was Valdosta State University's own Austin McDonald that finished the 5k course first with a time of 16:51. Austin McDonald is a VSU sophomore who is a member of the Grand Prix, a Valdosta series that participates in certain races in Georgia for points.
"It was a slow, very well put together course," McDonald said. "I would have to say the hardest part about the race was the dirt and hills."
ABAC's own Caitlyn Asbell was the first female and ABAC student to finish the 5k course with a time of 19:16.
More than 80 awards were presented, including the best overall male/female, most distinguished, and age group awards.
Participants under 16 who completed the mile race received a finisher's medal as well as other assorted gifts such as t-shirts, gift cards, candy and other great prizes. All pre-registered runners received a t-shirt and/or an ABAC bag.
This is both the first year of the Fitness 5k race and the Fit and Fitness Club.
"The purpose of the Fitness 5k is to promote fitness among students," says Fit and Health Club President Michael J. Austin.
More than 20 sponsors, 40 volunteers, and an estimated 80 people participated in the Fitness 5k race. The Fit and Health Club meets every other Wednesday in the Gressette Gym near the lounge area.
A registration fee of $20 was required for individuals to participate in the 5K and $45 for up to a family of four (parents and their children only). Proceeds from the Fitness 5k race will benefit community and campus service projects of the Physical Education Majors Club.
Be the first to comment on this story