5th Annual Run for the River Is Major Success

Winners Gallery: The fastest male and female runners in the March 27, 2010 Run for the River line up for a celebratory photo. Left to right: Frank Tinney of Blowing Rock, 3rd place male runner: Devin Sawnn of Raleigh, 1st place male runner; John Crews of Raleigh, 2nd place male runner; Amy Kelly of Raleigh, 3rd place female runner and Heather McGill of Wilmington, 1st place female runner. Second place female runner was Emily Potter of Southern Pines unavailable for photo.

Hundreds of runners, volunteers and spectators gathered in Kinston Mar. 27, 2010 to participate in the 5th annual Kinston 8000: Run for the River. It was a day made for running: cool but sunny.

LIKE FATHER..LIKE SON: Randy Swann of Raleigh (left) came to Kinston Mar. 27, 2010 to run with his son Devin in Pride of Kinston's 5th annual Run for the River. Devin placed first among the male runners in the annual race, setting a new record for the 4.97 mile course at 24:00.

And its 4.97 mile, 8K course along the Neuse River and through Kinston drew universal praise from experienced racers.

Runners came from everywhere: Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Yorktown, VA; Potomac, MD; from all across North Carolina from Boone to Wilmington; and tons of runners from Kinston and Lenoir County.

“It was the best yet,” according to Pride of Kinston. It was noted that since its inception in 2006, Run for the River has steadily gained in local popularity and as a destination for serious runners from across the southeast.

Pride of Kinston launched the 8K race as part of its overall strategy to call attention to downtown Kinston and to entice residents and tourists. The late March plan continues through the summer when Pride sponsors the annual Sand in the Streets concert series downtown on the banks of the Neuse River.

The winners: The top three male runners in the March 27, 2010 Run for the River pose for celebratory photos, left to right: Frank Tinney from Blowing Rock, NC, 3rd place with a time of 24:49: Devin Swann of Raleigh. 1st place with a new course record of 24:00; and John Crews of Raleigh, 2nd place with a time of 24:06.

The 8K race reflects a partnership between Pride, the City of Kinston’s Public Safety Department and the Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department. The race also attracts a host of sponsors as well as 150 community volunteers.

“This would not be possible without our partners,” according to Pride director Adrian King. “We are very grateful for the enthusiastic support we have garnered from throughout the community.”

The top male and female runners carried home cash awards as well as trophies. The top runner in the One Mile Fun Run was Christopher Shawn Wilson of Pink Hill. All participants in the One Mile Fun Run won a medal. (Go to downtownkinston.com for race results.)

Participants in the Run for the River ranged in age from 4 years old to 92 years old.

Annual Clean Up Day set for April 24, 2010

The call is out for volunteers for Pride of Kinston’s annual Clean Up Day, set for April 24, 2010. Pride sponsors the annual event to call attention to the value of an attractive environment, compatible with overall economic development goals.

The 2010 event will kick off at 9:00 am with a gathering in the Allen Pearson Park (intersection of Gordon and Mitchell Streets). Volunteers will be assigned specific areas of downtown for clean up activities.

The groups will return to the park at 12:30 pm to be treated to a complimentary lunch hosted by Pride.

For additional information call: 252-522-8003.