7th Annual Big South 5K Road Race Nets Record Proceeds
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – The Big South Conference today announced that it will distribute more than $25,000 to middle school athletic programs in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC), Union (NC), Lancaster (SC), and Fort Mill/Rock Hill (SC) school districts from the proceeds of its Seventh Annual Big South 5K Road Race that was held Saturday, Oct. 22 at Blakeney Shopping Center. Since the race’s inception in 2010, the event has raised nearly $139,000 and this year’s total of $25,742 is an all-time high donation amount.
Presented by Keffer Auto Group, nearly 1,100 registrants took part in the event which featured more than 45 local business sponsors. This year’s race benefitted a total of 45 middle schools that were designated by participants as beneficiaries. Those schools received a percentage of registration fees from the race -- approximately 85 percent of every race registration. Additional proceeds will be distributed to the CMS School District, Union County Public Schools, Lancaster School District and Fort Mill/Rock Hill School District to benefit all middle school athletics budgets.
“The Big South 5K is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander. “We always have great participation by the community, we raise a lot of money for middle school athletics, and everyone has a wonderful time. It is so gratifying to witness all the support that the Big South 5K receives, including from the Keffer Auto Group, and we are honored to be able to contribute to such a great cause.
“The popularity of this race just keeps increasing every year,” added Keffer Auto’s Jim Keffer. “I continue to hear nothing but great things about people hitting their personal bests on the course, and I always leave feeling excited about the next year. Hats off to the Big South for putting on one of the best 5Ks anywhere!”
The event featured the spirit squads from Big South member institution Winthrop University, and all participants were treated to a Finish Line Party of music, food, games, and prizes followed by the 11th annual Blakeney Boo! Bash. Community House Middle School had the most participants with 118, followed by Marvin Ridge Middle (71) and Jay M. Robinson Middle (60). Cross Country student-athletes from Winthrop served as volunteers, as did members of the Big South Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and staff members of the Banana Republic store in Blakeney Shopping Center and members of Elevation Church.
Jesse McIntire of Charlotte, N.C. crossed the finish line first as the overall male winner in a time of 14:46. Chelsea Hollingsworth of Greensboro, N.C. was the overall female winner with a time of 17:17 (16th overall). The Community Team winner was FIT 180 (average time of 17:05) while Piedmont Eyecare (average time of 21:46) claimed first-place in the Corporate Team division.
The Big South 5K Road Race was created in 2010 to serve as a fundraiser for middle school athletic programs in Mecklenburg and Union Counties. The Big South Conference is already making plans for the Eighth Annual 5K Road Race, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2017. For complete post-race information from this year's event, including photos and race results, visit the official race website at www.bigsouth5k.com and check out the race’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BigSouth5KRoadRace.