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A record number of runners streamed down Water St. toward Washington Park as the second F3 Exodus 5 & 10K run began on a sun-splashed Saturday morning in downtown Washington.

90 minutes later all had crossed the finish line and were helping themselves to a community breakfast of pancakes, sausage and bananas provided by Haw Branch Church of Christ.

Over 240 fitness-minded folks ran and/or walked the 3.225 mile course to bring home some bragging rights and hardware and also to raise money to combat drug addiction and mental illness in eastern North Carolina.
Last year’s inaugural event had 130 participants.

F3, a local men’s workout group based on fitness, faith and fellowship, organized the race and will donate over $30,000 to Dare Challenge, which helps men overcome addiction and mental illness.

“We had perfect weather and we thank everyone who helped us make this event a success,” F3 member Brian Ward said. “Addiction and mental illness is a problem in our community and we want to do our part to let men know there are ways to get help. I think it was a great day for all involved.”

14-year old Tanner Carawan, a member of the Terra Ceia Christian School cross country team was the overall male 5K champion with a time of 21:50.8, while Michelle Wallace won the female title in 25:59.8.

Other 5K age group winners included female 19U Taylor Mitchell (28:51), 29U Alexis Perry (32:03), 39U Keri Askew (29:09), 49U Nickie Rich (29:22) 59U Page Blackburn (28:55) and 60+ Linda Werder (35:24)

Other men’s winners were Jacob Taylor 19U (25:02), Anthony Crespi 29U (28:00), John Edwards 39U (27:56), Justin Modlin 49U (25:32), Jack Midyette 59U (24:18) and Bill Cherry 60+ (24:41)

Ethan Sommers won the men’s 10K overall title in 39:19, while Lily Zachman was the women’s champion in 41:31.

Other 10K female age group winners include Sydney Latham 29U (58:49), Whitaker Hilgoe 39U (58:49), Tanya Midyette 59U (55:56), Kathy Garren 69U (1:07:38) and Peggy Taylor 79U (1:46:18)

Male 10K age group winners included Coby Alligood 19U (43:06), John Tate 29U (52:48), Jeremy Johnson 39U (40:45), Cadmus Capehart 49U (51:49), Mark Cagle 59U (42:27) and Stan Garren 69U (1:23:45).