On Saturday morning in Columbus, a small crowd gathered in the parking lot of Regions Bank on Main Street to cheer as runners blew past a makeshift finish line.
The runners were competing in the Columbus Exchange Club’s Leprechaun Chase 5K and One-Mile Fun Run. Despite spring break and damp weather, more than 60 runners participated, according to Exchange Club president Elizabeth Johnson. The race was a fundraiser in support of child abuse prevention projects. Johnson added that it is one of many events the club will do to raise awareness of child abuse and help promote positive parenting.
“Stronger families produce healthier communities,” she said.
This is the first year the club has done the Leprechaun Chase, but Steve Porter, who helped put the race together, hopes to make it an annual event. The run had a family-oriented atmosphere, as kids ran with their parents and interacted with one of several animal mascots present. Officers from the Columbus Police Department fingerprinted some of the children at the event and then gave the prints to the children’s parents. Community Relations Officer Rhonda Sanders said the prints are useful for parents and police if the children ever go missing.
Runners mingled and ate with their supporters, some of them dressed in green costumes or wearing leprechaun hats. Every runner who crossed the finish line received a medal.
Runner Andy Johnson said the event was a great way to begin spring.
“It was challenging,” he said. “There were a few hills close to the end, but otherwise it was fairly flat…it was a lot of fun.”
Other runners echoed Johnson’s sentiment.
“It was wonderful,” Justine Edwards said. “I had fun, but the hill was really challenging…it was tough but I’m very proud of my running.”
Edwards began running four months ago as a way to stay healthy and relive stress. She said she runs to stay strong for both herself and her mother, who has been in a nursing home for the last year but who will soon start living with Edwards. Edwards told her mother about her participation in this race.
“She knew in her heart that I would do well,” said Edwards.
Johnson and Edwards both have family members involved in the Exchange Club, but other runners don’t have the same connection and came just for the run or to support the cause. Sierra Slatton learned about the race online. It was her fourth 5K in the last year. She called the run challenging but good and added that the cause was good too.
Ricky Johnston, the first runner to pass the finish line in the 5K, learned of the race from a friend he ran into while jogging. It ended up being a lucky coincidence because though he has been running for a while, this was his first victory in a race.
“It was wonderful,” he said. “Good weather, good conditions, fun atmosphere, good cause, so it was an overall fun experience.”
Johnston liked the feeling of community at the race. He got to run with his wife and some of their friends, all in support of a good cause, he said.
Elizabeth Johnson was pleased with the turnout.
“We’re very blessed.”
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