DECATUR -- The morning started with a rain as organizers of the first annual Come Fly With Me 5K and color run began setting up for their event. But a little rain did not stop runners from coming out and enjoying a chance to traverse down an active runway, something very rarely done in the aviation world.
As the starter's gun went off for the 5k race, the clouds parted and the sun came out. The nice, mild morning was perfect for a good run.
The course used both sides of the airfield and the runway 31 end of the airport. A short ascent and decent on the airport access road made for a good workout for some of the runners. Then it was to the finish line on runway 13, just a short run in the park.
Runners of all ages participated in the event. Some were distance runners, others were joggers, and some did not even run at all.
One young mother ran the entire race pushing her young child in a tri-wheel baby carriage.
Sammy Casey from Springdale won the race with a time of 18 minutes, 39 seconds, followed by Joshua Hayes with a time of 20 minutes, 11 seconds. Wyatt Philpott took third in a time of 23 minutes, 56 seconds.
The powdered color-paint was flying as participants of all ages ran in the color run. Volunteers were stationed down the one mile course equipped with squirt bottles full of paint. As a runner passed by, the volunteers would spray the paint anywhere but the face of the participants. In the end it was the children who were the most colorful creations of the day .
The event was sponsored by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce and the Crystal Lake Flying Community. This was the first year for the run and it is hoped to be the first of many in the future.
General News on 06/03/2014