On Your Mark,Onion Runners

The streets of downtown Vidalia will turn into a track on Saturday, April 26, as the 47th Annual Kiwanis Vidalia Onion Run takes place. The event begins at 7:00 a.m. This will be the fourth year of the new format, and again it will kick off with the half marathon.

Instead of starting the day with the 1-mile run/walk, the day will start with the half marathon at 7:00 a.m. That will be followed by the 5K race at 7:15 a.m. That will be followed by a 1-mile run/walk race at 8:00 a.m. All three races begin and end at the corner of Church St. and 2nd St.

Awards will be presented at around 8:30 a.m. to the top three female and top three male runners, overall, in the one mile fun run and in the 5K. For the half marathon races will be divided by age group (010, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 4044, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 & over). Awards will be given to the top three female and male runners in each age division of the half marathon.

The course record was set two years ago in the half marathon for the men, that could stand for quite some time. Orinthal Striggles of Columbia, SC, took the top spot in a time of 1:23.24. The top female runner last year in the half marathon was Izzy Catron from Wilcox County High School. She finished in a new record time of 1:36.16, which beat out the old record by just over a minute.

Last year in the 5k, Toombs County High School standout, Juan Luna, came in first place with a new course record. His time was 17:18, which beat the record held by Clint Watkins of 17:34. That record had stood since 2002. The female record is 19:22 and was recorded by Kristen Arendt from Colorado in 2018.

The female winner of the 5k last year was Ginny Meredith of Vidalia with a time of 21:31.

There will be a prize of $250 for breaking a course record in the half marathon, and a $100 prize for breaking a 5k record.

Registration is open through the morning of the races for both the 1-mile and 5k. Online registration is open through April 23. The fee for the half marathon is $95, for the 5k the fee is $45, and for the 1 mile it is $20. The fee for the 1-mile increases after April 23.

Early packet pickup will be on Friday, April 25 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. The day of the race pickup will begin at 6:15 a.m. All preregistered participants get a T-shirt and may take advantage of the fluids and fruit bars at the finish line.

Corporate sponsors help bring the Onion Run to Vidalia. The main sponsor this year is the Vidalia Kiwanis Club.

Last year had the largest ever turnout for the Onion Run, and they are hoping this year will be just as good. So if you are coming to watch, get there early to find your spot on the race route.

Juan Luna crosses the finish line of the 5k in a new record time.Photo by Mike Branch