Despite the occasional shower, the 36th annual 300 Oaks Road Race seemed to be a big hit Saturday.
“I think the showers made it more fun. The rain really came at the right time with the ‘Color Me Greenwood’ race,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber organizes the annual event.
This year, 589 people signed up for the 10K run, the 5K run, the 5K walk and the Fun Run. A total of 483 people completed the race.
Luke Beissel was the first-place overall male in the 10K run with a time of 39:25.06.
Abby Thomas was the first-place overall female in the 10K run with a time of 41:06.38.
Thomas, who lives in Brookhaven, said she was aided by participating in cross-country and track at her school. Running long distances is a challenge, she said.
“It’s not easy, but I enjoy running,” she said.
John Hollis Tackett, a sophomore at Pillow Academy, was the first 5K runner to cross the finish line, recording a time of 22:49.96.
Tackett said he had participated in a 1-mile Fun Run years ago but Saturday’s race was the first 5K run he’d participated in.
Greenwood Ward 4 Council member Charles McCoy said he was ready for the 5K walk.
“I walked this morning in the Industrial Park. Not only that, I walk at Greenwood Market Place every day,” said McCoy, who is produce manager at the store.
McCoy said the light drizzle helped to keep the body from getting overheated.
Joyce Ford, a member of Rod’s Racers from Greenville, said she regularly runs in the Viking Half Marathon.
Jennifer Peters of Greenville, also in Rod’s Racers, said it was her fourth year but was “our first year as a group.”
Team John-Richard, which includes about 28 employees, are veterans to the event. “We’ve done it several times,” said team member Bobbie Woods.
While at the starting line readying herself for the 10K run as a member of Black Girls Run running club, Patricia Robinson of Greenville said it was her third or fourth 300 Oaks.
Although there are half-marathons in Greenville, she likes 300 Oaks: “I run it every year.”
Alex Fletcher of Greenwood finished third in the men’s 10K run with a time of 41:47.52.
He said the rain probably helped.
“We were all anticipating a pretty hot morning. We were thankful it didn’t rain right on top of us, but we were glad for the clouds to cool it off a little bit,” Fletcher said.
Peters took the rain in stride.
“We’re going to be fine. We’re not going to melt,” she said.
•Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
