By Beth Christian Broschart
About 60 runners and walkers gather at Mill Race Park in Parsons Saturday morning for Miles for Miranda – a race to help Miranda Maxwell.
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Miles for Miranda, which included a 2K walk and a 5K run, brought 60 people out Saturday morning, hoping to raise money to help a friend battling cancer. Organizer Mary Beth Hebb said she started walking to help raise money for her friend because she felt it was something she could do to help Miranda, and said she felt the Lord had given her something to run for.
“I am a runner and I was going to run anyway,” Hebb said. “I planned to run two half marathons so I used this campaign to raise money for Miranda.”
Hebb said that the she and the group of runners raised just more than $4,500 for Miranda.
“Marie Bolyard, Courtney Nestor and I ran a total of 1,042 miles for Miranda,” Hebb said. “There were 60 participants in the event Saturday morning.”
Saturday morning’s race began at Mill Race Park, and wound through Mill Race Park and the Nursery Bottom and the Bike Trail. “People may go to www.tristateracer.com for a full list of the results of Saturday’s run and walk.
“I am running because of Miranda,” said runner Karen Goff. “She is a wonderful girl. I have known her since she was a baby.”
Hebb said sponsors for Miles for Miranda include ‘Pappy and Omi,’ Hansford Insurance, Performance Motors, Mike Ross Inc., Mountain Valley Bank, Davis Medical Center and Lohr and Barb Funeral Home.
“I would also like to thank the City of Parsons and the National Forest Service for use of Mill Race Park and the Nursery Bottom for the race,” Hebb said.
The top three runners for the race were Derek Bolyard, Mike Bailey and Marie Bolyard and the top three walkers were Dani Wilfong, Chris Thomas and William Thomas.
Winners in the walk include:
14 years old and under: Calista Eye and Owen Knotts.
Age 15 to 19: Aliyah Plum and Nathan Bailey
Age 20 to 29: Dani Wilfong and Amanda Freeman
Age 30 to 30: Amy Mullenax and Valerie Eye
Age 40 to 49: Becky Moore and Heather Knotts
Age 50 to 59: Chris Thomas and William Thomas
Age 60 to 69: Deb Chapman and Barb Moury
Age 70 +: Mary Jo Fink
Winners by age in the run include:
Age 14 and under: Zach Dilly
Age 15 to 19: Corie Vandevender and Natalie Evans
Age 20 to 29: Marie Bolyard and Jessy Vandevander
Age 30 to 39: Derek Bolyard and Justin Vandevander
Age 40 to 49: Jennifer Friend and Eric Dilly
Age 50 to 59: Mike Bailey and Billy Friend
