BEDFORD – Community members were able to get their 2022 started off on the right foot, after participating in the First Step 5K Run, Walk early New Year’s morning.
The forecast included rain and a slight breeze, but that didn’t stop over 70 people from getting a start on a healthier 2022.
The event is put on every year on New Year’s Day, to not only get community members out and running, but to also to go towards a great cause. All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Bertha’s Mission to help with their continued efforts for community members in Lawrence County.
Race Director Jim Sowders said that helping Bertha’s Mission to continue to serve the community is truly special.
“Bertha’s Mission will continue to serve the community no matter what, they have served over 7,000 meals through their drive through service and have delivered 5,000 more this year. 12,000 meals in 11 months is truly incredible, and hosting this race will help them to continue serving the community, it’s the least we can do,” said Sowders.
Tiffany Stevens, along with Cory and Cole Bartlett, signed up for the race the day before in hopes to set a good example for her son.
“I jokingly said yesterday that we should do the race and I was taken seriously, so here we are,” Stevens said. “The event is for a good cause to help Bertha’s Mission here in town, and we thought it would be a great example for Cole, telling him that the money will be donated and to build good habits for him.”
The first place finisher and overall female runner went to Paige Voigtschild, who finished her run at 22 minutes and 21 seconds followed closely by the top male finisher Noah Childers, who finished with a 22 minutes and 27 seconds race time.
Top Female Finishers:
- First place: Paige Voigtschild – 22:21.91
- Second: Joanna Hackney – 22:23.45
- Third: Claire Voigtschild – 23:31.58
Top Male Finishers:
- First place: Noah Childers – 22:27.20
- Second: John Heatherly – 22:56.05
- Third: Ben Voigtschild – 23:12.34
Overall the race brought out plenty of runners and walkers to get their 2022 started off on a healthier note and to help provide donations to Bertha’s Mission.
