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The annual Wimpy Mile got bigger and better this year. On a freezing Saturday morning, a record number of contestants gathered at Hancock Park to participate in the annual event. The participants ranged from young children to adults, and even included some pets.
Organized by the Dahlonega Sunrise Rotary Club, this year’s event saw a remarkable 60 percent increase in participation. The event had 253 registrants this year, a significant leap from the previous year’s 158 participants,” stated Pat Conarro, the Rotary Club representative.
Conarro extended the club’s gratitude to The Nugget for their substantial sponsorship this year. “The 3rd annual Wimpy Mile was successful and widely embraced,” he added.
The race, which took participants from downtown Dahlonega to the downhill stretch of Wimpy Mill Road, was designed to be appealing to all types of runners. Unlike many charity races, the Wimpy Mile is user-friendly and caters to experienced as well as novice runners.
Race Spectators
With a race course designed to encourage participation at an individual’s pace, the event had welcoming vibes. It catered to serious runners looking for competitive timing and leisure runners hoping to enjoy the experience at their pace. According to Conarro, the race had participants of all types, including walkers, joggers, parents with strollers, and dog owners, all united for a high-energy outdoor event.
Times ranged from swift to slow, capturing the event’s spirit of inclusivity. The fastest runner clocked a winning time of 4:06, while another participant crossed the finish line taking a leisurely 32 minutes.
Results
In the men’s category, Matt Bird, 30, of Cumming, came first overall with a time of 4:06. Mike Jones, 30, of Dawsonville, finished second with a time of 4:51, followed closely by Paulo Ramirez, 15, of Cumming, who logged a time of 4:52.
Earl Porter, 36, of Dahlonega, was the top local performer, finishing seventh overall with a time of 5:31. In the women’s category, Mo Olocha, 25, of Buford, Katharine Serrano, 53, of Duluth, and Audrey Ferguson, 27, of Lynchburg, Va., came in sixth, twentieth, and thirtieth places overall, respectively.
“The event is growing just as we had hoped, and we’ve received positive feedback from all participants, regardless of their finishing times or positions,” said Conarro.
For a Good Cause
The Wimpy Mile is one of the Sunrise Rotary’s major fundraising events. It benefits various local community organizations, and the funds raised are used to support and improve the community throughout the year. Thanks to previous funds, beautiful cherry trees now flourish along Wimpy Mill Road.
Last but Not Least
The event extended its appreciation beyond the first-place finishers, among the awards given was the Perseverance Award, which was granted to the oldest finishing runner, Ralph Prescott, 88, with a time of 32:48.
Further recognizing efforts, this year’s Sportsmanship Award was given to long-time Rotary member Ron Larson, while the Mediocrity Awards were given to participants who finished in the middle of the pack, including Samantha Christopher, Asher Smith, and Catalina Smith.
Conarro concluded by noting the irony as none of the Mediocrity Awards winners stuck around long enough to receive their recognition, as the temptation of a shuttle back to the starting line proved more appealing.
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