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Under most circumstances, running in one 5K race in a day (or even a month) is plenty.

However, area runners had the opportunity to run twice last Saturday and members of the Terra Ceia and Northside cross country teams took full advantage.

12-year old Knights runner Troy Wright put his best foot forward by winning the third annual Terra Ceia Christian School Color Run at his school, then came to Mac Hodges Festival Park and won the Hannah’s Heroes Glow Run that evening. Wright covered the TCCS course in 19:14, then finished the race through the east side of downtown Washington and Washington Park in 18:32.

TCCS assistant cross country coach Mark Cagle was second in the morning race in 19:20 and third in the evening contest in 19:25.

It’s the fourth year for the Hannah’s Heroes Glow Run, named after local 10-year old Hannah Cuthrell, who died in a car accident on the way to school in 2017. Her family and friends established Hannah’s Heroes of NC in her memory in 2019, with proceeds from various events donated to help area children in a variety of ways.

Nakevian Atkinson finished second overall between Wright and Cagle. Gray Franks and Coby Alligood completed the top five. Emma Kate Reynolds, Emma Spinner and Knights head cross country coach Brandi Cagle were the top three women.

“Running two races in a day may seem crazy to many people, but the fun our runners had during those two races makes it worth it,” Brandi Cagle said.  “Several runners had personal best times and Emma (Spinner) set a PR in the morning and broke it that night. To be able to support our school and other local charities while also gaining experience in racing at the same time is something we will do every chance we get.”