5K and Melon Mile

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The Watermelon Festival 5K Race at the 41st Hope Watermelon Festival was off to a fast start Saturday morning, August 12. The Watermelon 5K has been established since 1978, and has been part of the Arkansas Road Runners Club of America since 1994.

Racers were here as early as six o’clock to get warmed up, and to meet with their teammates running along beside them. There were 331 runners and walkers combined who participated in the race. With the runners on the starting line waiting on the words; on your mark, get set, go from race director, Don Still. The first racers crossed the starting line at 7:30 beginning the race. With family and friends cheered on their runners as they crossed the finish line. Grant Jarvis, of Texarkana was the first racer who crossed the finish line with the time of 16:22. The first female to cross the finish line was Elizabeth Gillette of Texarkana also placing her in the top ten finishers. With the youngest racer being only four years and the oldest being 85 years old there ws a great deal of competition against the runners.  Water and ice cold watermelon was handed out to the runners for a refreshing treat after the race. After the 5K a melon mile run for the kids was held. The young racers were not timed they ran down and back to cross the finish line. Medals were given to all the runners as the crossed the finish line.

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