This past weekend, the First Christian Church hosted their Second Annual Lights Spectacular 5K. Last year, during the inaugural race, 120 racers registered for the run. This year, 158 racers ran or walked the 3.1 mile course. All were enthusiastic about the run and said the event was enjoyable, challenging and definitely a “race to run next year.” Several participants commented on the race, saying they enjoyed it as not just a race, but as an event. One runner noted that it was a nice combination of “run and festival.”

The course ran down Avenue F approximately 1 ½ miles and then turned back and finished where it began. Residents of the housing authority cheered on the runners/walkers as they raced toward the finish line. 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 David Boone, age 44, with a time of 18:57 and the male Overall Master was Ron Hill, age 46, with a time of 19:18. For the women, the Overall winner was Kailey Hill, age 15, with a time of 21:00, and the Overall Master was Debby Harkness, age 58, with a time of 23:22.

Many Johnson City residents medaled: Sarah Beall took 3rd in the 10-14 age group for females. Barbara Beall, Sarah’s mom, took 1st in the 40-44 age group with a time of 28:40. This was Barbara’s first race! In the same age group, Tina Sasko won 3rd place and in the 45-49 age group, Carla Masters came in 3rd as well. Three women ran in the 75 and over age group. Vonda Lee Adorno, age 76, logged a time of 29:35, down from her time last year of 31:12; Martha Long, age 76, ran in 38:35, also down from her time last year of 38:52; and Shirley Hahn, age 76, earned the 3rd place medal

Representing Johnson City for the men, Gabriel Barrientes, age 9, won 1st in the 9 and under age group with a time of 27:14. In the 10-14 age group, Wade North, age 13, won 2nd place with a time of 23:18 and Seth Beall, age 12, captured 2nd place with a time of 23:18. Andrew Makare, age 18, won 2nd in the 15-19 age group with a time of 20:47 and Zach Reveal, age 16, got 3rd place with a time of 21:33. Tony Sieli won 3rd in the 30-34 age group with a time of 32:02; Roger Beall, age 44, won 1st in the 40-44 age group with a time of 27:26; and Earl North, age 51, won 3rd with a time of 23:36 in the 50-54 age group. Earl’s time was down from his time last year of 26:11. In the 55-59 age group, Doug Pautz, age 58, won 1st with a time of 19:24. For the over 75 runners, three runners competed with the best time by Luke Oliver, age 76, coming in at 31:24. Our oldest runner at age 84, was Dick Ewing.

One interesting note, the Beall family-Roger, Barbara, Sarah and Seth-all medaled in their age groups. Congratulations!

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. KFlash will be back next year for our third annual Lights Spectacular 5K so start training now so you can join him!