The second annual Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon & 5K drew over 600 runners to the area to run, compete, and raise money for the Madison Hornbuckle Children’s Cancer Foundation on Saturday, Oct. 19. Over $22,000 was raised from the event to serve families of children with cancer that live in Jackson, Swain, Cherokee, Graham and Cherokee counties in Western North Carolina. This is the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Peyton Hoyal and eventual winner Justus David battle during the final mile of the Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon, won by David in 1:11:02. (Photos courtesy of Glory Hound Events)
Jill Konkol, of Winston-Salem (18:50), and Phil Latter, of Bryson City (15:38), were the winners of the 5K, while Brenae Edwards, of Bryson City (1:20:02), and Justus David, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. (1:11:02), were the winners of the half marathon.
The event attracted runners from as far away as Texas with large representations from Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina. The event had 350 registered runners in its inaugural year in 2012.
Brenae Edwards, of Bryson City, was the top female runner in the half marathon with a time of 1:20:02.
The success of the event prompted Principal Chief Michell Hicks to say, “I am very pleased with the success of the 2013 Harvest Half Marathon and 5K. Countless hours of volunteer service contributed to the success of this event, and it is with great appreciation that I thank each of the individuals that volunteered and each of the runners that participated. In my opinion, a worthier cause than the Madison Hornbuckle Children’s Cancer Foundation cannot be found and I am so proud to be able to present over $22,000 to benefit the families dealing with such terrible circumstances.”
Runners were treated to cool, fall weather, two flat race courses, Cherokee singers on the course and a post-race feast of Tuscan white bean chili, feta and squash herb wrap as well as sweet potato brownies, prepared by the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Culinary staff.
Race sponsors included the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Beecher-Carlson, Design Strategies, Robbins & Morton, Nike N7, The Policy Group, USI Consulting, Owle Construction, Asheville Chevrolet, Element Advertising. First Citizens Bank, Willis Group, Ietan, C&C Construction, Wells Fargo, Bally Gaming, Unto These Hills, Oconaluftee Indian Village, AFLAC, Dixon-Hughes, Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Mountain Federal, Smoky Mountain News, and Owle Containers.
– Glory Hound Events
