KYLE LOVERN

Sports Editor

SOUTH WILLIAMSON, Ky. – The Tug Valley Road Runners Club and the local Diabetes Foundation held another successful 5-K run this past Friday evening.

Mary Beth Johnson of, South Williamson won first place in the female group with a time of 24:45, while Maria Arnot ran the route in 26:04 to come in second place.

Alexis Batausa of Williamson one the men’s bracket with a time of 21:10, while

Jason Cooper of Pikeville finished second with a time of 22:10. “If you didn’t show up for the 5K tonight you really missed out on a very fantastic evening,” Batausa said. He is one of the driving forces behind the local TVRRC and the recent races that have been organized.

“What really mattered to me was seeing all the new faces and familiar faces there,” Batausa added. The last race there were 64 runners/walkers. On Friday night there was 91 who registered.

“What was awesome was seeing people doing their first 5K ever,” Batausa said. “Just seeing the excitement in their faces really pumped me up.”

Refreshments were served to the runner afterwards. The race started in South Williamson at the residence of David Hatfield, president of the TVRRC. The route went over into West Virginia, down toward West End, and back again to Kentucky.

“ I am very thankful for wonderful people like David (Hatfield), Ellen Hatfield, Kevin Smith, Jason Cooper, Police Chief Dave Rockell and everyone else who helped or participated,” Batausa added.

The next scheduled race is September 15, the Frank O’Brien Memorial 5-K Run/Walk during the King Coal Festival weekend. It will likely be Saturday morning, but could be changed to Friday night. More information on that race will be released at a later dated.