New Onion Run Records Set

It was a great morning for the Kiwanis Vidalia Onion Run on Saturday morning. They had the largest turn out in race history with nearly 950 runners signing up for the event. They kicked off the day with the third running of the half marathon, followed by the 5k, and the one mile run. There was a new record set for the females in the half marathon that will be a tough one to beat, as well as a new men's record in the 5k. It was a warmer day, but the sun was out and there was a nice breeze for the racers to take to the streets of Vidalia.

Half Marathon Men For the half marathon, Kip Burdette of Dublin, who is the Head Football Coach at West Laurens High School, took the overall top spot in a time of 1:34.11.

Second place for the men in the half marathon was Daniel Groce in a time of 1:47.47, and third place went to David Louis in a time of 1:49.44.

Women

The second place overall finisher also set the new women's race record. Izzy Catron from Wilcox County High School beat out the old record by just over a minute. Catron's time, and the new record is 1:36.16 that beat out the old time of 1:37.46 that was held by Amanda Partee-Manders.

Second place for the women was Teresa Johnson in a time of 1:57.21, and third place went to Cora McCaffrey in a time of 1: 58.52.

5k Men In the 5k, Toombs County High School standout, Juan Luna, came in first place with a new course record. Luna won the race last year as well, and the freshman at TCHS is looking to keep the streak going. His time this year was 17:18, which beat the record held by Clint Watkins of 17:34. continued from page

That record had stood since 2002. Second place for the men went to Tristan Lynn in a time of 17:36, and Ricardo Santana came in third with a time of 19:39.

Women

For the women, 11-year-old Ginny Meredith of Vidalia was the winner of the 5k in a time of 21:31. She was followed by Haley Arnold in a time of 22:12, and in third place was Macy Grace Todd in 23:37.

Fun Run

The winner of the One-Mile Fun Run was Jermane McMillian from Appling County with a time of 5:01.

Local Kiwanis Race Director Mary Moon said, “Everything went great on Saturday. It really was a community event from the runners to the volunteers, just seeing everyone come together to make this event great was amazing. You could just see the joy on all the faces…from eight weeks old to 80 years old.

“I can’t say enough about all of the volunteers that make this race possible. We cold not do this without all of them. People just don’t know how much they do not just on race day, but leading up to it as well.

“And the money that this raises, and all of the good that it does in this community. It doesn’t go to the Onion Festival, the money that is raised goes into the community for projects and for the needs of the people. It is just so great to be a part of this race.”

Toombs County High School runner Juan Luna set the new course record in the men’s 5k in 17:18.Photo by Mike Branch

Kip Burdette, the Head Football Coach at West Laurens, was the winner of the half marathon.Photo by Mike Branch

11-year-old Ginny Meredith of Vidalia took home the women’s title in the 5k race.Photo by Mike Branch

Fromer 5k winner and Blue Angel Crew Member, Jay Pulgarin, crossed the line in 5th place for the men this year.Photo by Mike Branch

Jermane McMillian from Appling County was the winner of the 1-Mile run in a time of 5:01.Photo by Mike Branch