HUNDREDS GATHER FOR 15TH ANNUAL FREEDOM RUN, RAISING $55,000 FOR CHARITIES
The Pisgah Boys and Girls Cross Country team members are pictured at the 2023 15th Annual Freedom Run in Rainsville.
Story By Cinthia Rico
On Saturday, the Rainsville Freedom Run celebrated its 15th annual 10 and 5K run.
Jerry Clifton, coordinator of the Rainsville Freedom Run, announced that this year’s event broke the record with nearly 1200 participants representing various states such as Tennessee, Georgia, Kansas, Florida, and South Carolina. The run raised $55,000 for local charities.
The event dubbed as “The Best Small Race in America” attracted a diverse range of participants, from skilled athletes to inexperienced runners. Among them were individuals from the Pisgah High School Boys and Girls Cross Country Team.
Pisgah’s Allie Edwards clocked in at 28:55 to secure the fifth place spot in the 1-12 year old female 5K division, while Katie Edwards finished in the top 15 with a time of 26:16 in the 13-19 year old female 5K category.
James Quattlebaum, a runner from Greenville, South Carolina, completed the race in 31 minutes and 7 seconds and achieved the top 10K finisher award. The first place female finisher was Lydiah Mathathi, from Columbia, South Carolina, who completed the race in 35 minutes and 32 seconds.
Aidan Thompson from Nashville, Tennessee emerged as the top 5K finisher, clocking a time of 4:49. Meanwhile, Gisela Olalde, who hails from the same city, secured the first place in the women’s category, finishing the race in 17:39.
Abigail Mays of Plainview finished in first place in the 13-19 year old female 10K category, completing the race in 59 minutes and 47 seconds.
Fort Payne’s Kyndal Hughes posted a first place finish with a time of 21:54 in the female 13-19 5K division. Recent Fort Payne graduate and standout athlete Abigail Vega placed second with a time of 22:13.
Alberto Silvia was the 2023 winner of the $1,500 cash grand prize.
For a completed list of results visit runsignup.com/Race/Rainsvilefreedomrun10k5k.
Clifton announced the registration process for next year’s race would remain unchanged, with a start date of January 1 and an initial fee of $15 for those who register in the first 15 days.
During this year’s event, he also took the opportunity to express his gratitude towards all those who contributed to its success. The list consisted of individuals such as board members Pam Davy, Laura, Amy and Emily, the Rainsville Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt and council members, and the departments of police, fire, and street.
He also thanked the hard-working volunteers, teams from businesses and organizations, as well as the many generous sponsors and donors who made the event possible.
“All of yall are the reason we are known as The Best Small Race in America,” Clifton said. “Christ calls us to be givers and make a difference – community helping community – see everyone June 8th 2024.”
For event photos visit just4Running.com on Facebook.
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