Top runners set new course records

Run for the River
Major Success for Downtown

The top three male runners in the Kinston 8000: Run for the River held Saturday (Mar. 29, 2008) sprint down Queen Street on the way to setting course records for the event. From left to right, First Place Devin Swann of Raleigh, with a time of 24:51; Second Place Ryan Woods of Boone with a time of 25:21; and Third Place runner Tom Clifford of Wrightsville Beach. The record set in 2007 was 25:58 set by Greenville runner Michael Earle. (Photo by Charles Buchanan, courtesy of the Kinston Free Press.)

The weather turned windy and cold but the runners ran hot in this year’s Kinston 8000: Run for the River (March 29, 2008), the three-year-old event which continues to attract more runners, more sponsors and enthusiastic throngs of volunteers.

Wintry blasts under an overcast sky didn’t prevent each of the top three male 8K runners to pump out speeds beating the 2007 winning time: Devin Swann, 27, of Raleigh was first to cross the finish line at a 24:51 pace; Boone resident Ryan Woods, 29, came in second with a time of 25:21; and third place went to Wrightsville Beach runner Tom Clifford, 24. whose time was 25:54. Michael Earle of Greenville was top male runner in 2007 with a time of 25:58.

Heather Lee, 27, of Clayton, first place female runner in Saturday's Run for the River crosses the finish line, making the 4.97 mile run in 6:04. She took home $500 in prize money and an especially engraved bowl made by Lenox China.

The top female runner was Heather Lee, 27, of Clayton who ran the 8K in 30:09; followed in second place by Elissa Ballas, 28, of Goldsboro who ran the Kinston downtown course in 30:28. Leigh Adams, 33, of Wrightsville Beach was third.

Over at the One Mile Fun Run held within Neuseway Nature Center, the top 2006 runner Jackson Perry, 13, repeated his winning ways this year with a 6:31 pace. Christian Rust, 11, of New Bern came in second with a 6:50 time. All 50 runners in the One Mile Fun Run won a specially designed medal.

The 8K winners took home cash: $500 each for the first place winners, plus an especially engraved bowl made by Lenox China; $300 each for the second place runners, and $150 each for the third place competitors.

While a total of 203 runners registered for the 8K and One Mile Fun Run, 186 completed the two races, 136 for the 8K and 50 in the Fun Run. Spectators bundled up along the 8K route to cheer the runners on, and a large crowd of fans gathered in Tiffany West Park on the Neuse River bank for the awards ceremony.

Jackson Perry, 13, (left) celebrates his win in the One Mile Fun Run Saturday with friend Will Ferguson. This was a repeat victory for Perry: He won the same race in 2006.

Top three male and female runners from Lenoir County took home a $50 check courtesy of a special sponsorship by the White & Allen law firm.

Race organizers also conducted at raffle to help defray costs of putting on the race. The list of give-away items was headed by a 24-speed Schwinn bicycle, donated to the cause by local sportsman Bert Statum, proprietor of Riverside Bicycles and Outdoor Sports. The bicycle’s winning ticket was held by Lois Kenworthy, office manager for Pride of Kinston.

The annual Run for the River is conducted by the Pride of Kinston, in cooperation with the Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Kinston. The race has two objectives, according Adrian King, Pride director: “To call attention to our wonderful Neuse River, an economic incubator for the community; and to bring folks to downtown Kinston, a great community." Tim Knobeloch of the parks department, serves as the Kinston 8000: Run for the River race director.

Run for the River elite runners Dr. Joan Perry (left) and Robert Van Meir captivated an audience of runners, sponsors and volunteers Friday (March 28, 2008) while sharing their racing experiences as events which enhanced the quality of their respective lives. Dr. Perry is a local pediatrician and Mr. Van Meir is a member of the Lenoir Community College faculty, and both are top flight running athletes. The two spoke at a "welcome to the race" party on the eve of the competition.

The Kinston 8000: Run for the River continues to grow: a total of 139 runners participated in the 2006 event; 157 in 2007 and 186 this year. Serious runners across North Carolina are finding the Kinston race one not to miss.

King announced that the tentative date for the 2009 Run for the River has been set for March 28, 2009, the last Saturday in March. “We want the world to know that the last Saturday in March is the time for our own version of March Madness: the Kinston 8000.”

It's Time for Spring Cleaning

It's time for the twice-a-year Downtown Clean-Up, spearheaded by Pride of Kinston in cooperation with Kinston's Appearance Commission. It is a project to call attention to the need for a clean and neat city, according to Pride officials.

The Spring 2008 Downtown Clean-Up will be held Saturday, April 19, 2008. Volunteers are being asked to report to Pride's offices at 327 N. Queen Street at 9:30 am to receive instructions and area assignments.

The Clean-Up takes place from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. A complimentary lunch for Clean-Up participants will be offered at 12:30 pm at the gazebo in Neuseway Park, corner of Gordon and Mitchell Streets.

Volunteers are being urged to call 252-522-4676 Ext. 2020 to sign up. Individuals and groups throughout the city have participated in previous clean up activities.