The annual Minden Run for St. Jude persevered through inclement weather on Saturday, February 10, as participants dashed through a drizzle that escalated into a full-blown shower.
The event, aimed at supporting the St. Jude’s Research Center, commenced with the Kids Fun Run, where young athletes from the region showcased their spirit. A. Ramsey of Minden clinched the top spot, followed by B. Marks of Haughton in second place and E. Harmon, also from Minden, securing third place.
Following the youthful energy, the 10K race unfolded, witnessing Keith Pitman of Minden seizing the victory, trailed by Anna Lake Watts, also of Minden, in second place, and Kenichi Pass from New Boston, Texas, securing third.
The momentum continued with the commencement of the 5K race, where Nathan Vogel of Campti led the pack, followed by Graham Gordy of Shreveport in second place and John Hiltom Ferguson III, also hailing from Shreveport, in third.
Remarkably, participants from as far as Oakland, California, graced the event, underscoring its regional and national appeal.
Notably, the overall winners in both the 5K and 10K categories earned cash prizes, while the top three in the men’s and women’s divisions received coveted plaques. In the 10K, the distinguished recipients included Keith Pitman, Kenichi Pass, and Tim Spencer of West Monroe in the men’s division, and Anna Lake Watts, Amy Smith of Ruston, and Leigh Hood of Arcadia in the women’s division. Similarly, for the 5K, Nathan Vogel, Graham Gordy, and John Hiltom Ferguson III claimed top honors in the men’s category, while Reagan Hodge of Sibley, Marta Sramkova, and Kacey Rhodes, both from Minden, emerged as champions in the women’s division.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, the Minden Run for St. Jude demonstrated remarkable community support, amassing an impressive total of $100,230, underscoring the collective commitment towards advancing the cause of pediatric healthcare and research at St. Jude’s Research Center.
