They were running for a good cause

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Charity race held Saturday morning

By Kevin Eckleberry

keckleberry@civitasmedia.com

Delfina Martinez of Gardner Newman Middle School and Lawson Lynd of Long Cane race toward the finish line during the Smilin’ Waylon’s road race on Saturday. There was a large contingent of runners from the local schools in the 3.1-mile race. Martinez was only three seconds behind the top female finisher in the race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/10/web1_cover-shot.jpgDelfina Martinez of Gardner Newman Middle School and Lawson Lynd of Long Cane race toward the finish line during the Smilin’ Waylon’s road race on Saturday. There was a large contingent of runners from the local schools in the 3.1-mile race. Martinez was only three seconds behind the top female finisher in the race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Mark Hhawu and Lafayette Christian School’s Michael Loutzenheiser approach the finish line in Sunday’s race. Hhawu edged Loutzenheiser to win the race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/10/web1_race11.jpgMark Hhawu and Lafayette Christian School’s Michael Loutzenheiser approach the finish line in Sunday’s race. Hhawu edged Loutzenheiser to win the race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Stacie Bulloch was the top female finisher in the Smilin’ Waylon’s road race. She has won the race all three years. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/10/web1_race25.jpgStacie Bulloch was the top female finisher in the Smilin’ Waylon’s road race. She has won the race all three years. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Brent Mayo, left, and Troup’s Drew Duram finished third and fourth, respectively, in Saturday’s race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/10/web1_race12.jpgBrent Mayo, left, and Troup’s Drew Duram finished third and fourth, respectively, in Saturday’s race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Gardner Newman’s Matt Callaway finished fifth. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/10/web1_race13.jpgGardner Newman’s Matt Callaway finished fifth. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Gardner Newman’s Abby Vanhoose was one of the many runners representing her school during Saturday’s race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/10/web1_race41.jpgGardner Newman’s Abby Vanhoose was one of the many runners representing her school during Saturday’s race. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

LAGRANGE – More than 150 runners, including a whole bunch of boys and girls from the local schools, turned out on a misty Saturday morning to help raise money for a great cause.

For the third straight year, the Smilin’ Waylon’s Run for the House road race was held in LaGrange, and money raised from the event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus.

The race began and ended in the parking lot at Callaway Stadium, and there were 160 total runners who took part in the 3.1-mile race.

A one-mile run was also held later in the morning for some of the younger runners.

The Ronald McDonald House provides temporary housing, or as the organization states it a “home away from home,” for families traveling to different cities who have children receiving care at a local medical facility.

The race is named in honor of Waylon McCay, who was hospitalized for 10 days when he was a newborn in 2005, and the family took advantage of the Ronald McDonald House’s hospitality.

“(The parents have) done a barbeque fund-raiser, and they wanted to do something different,” said Brack Hassell, the race organizer. “I’ve never put on a race before, but I run, so I thought let’s work together and try to figure it out.”

Hassell said the race has grown tremendously since its inception.

“We had a great turnout this year,” Hassell said. “I think we had 70 or 80 the first year, and 128 last year.”

Helping spur the turnout this year was the presence of so many runners from local high schools and middle schools.

There was a competition this year between the local middle-school cross-country teams, with Gardner Newman taking top honors.

Gardner Newman and Long Cane both were well-represented in the race.

Among the top 10 male finishers were seven runners from local schools, including Lafayette Christian School’s Michael Loutzenheiser, who was second overall.

Gardner Newman’s Delfina Martinez was the second overall female finisher.

The men’s race winner was Mark Hhawu, who posted a time of 17 minutes, 54 seconds, and he finished just ahead of Loutzenhesier (18:02).

The two were running side-by-side almost until the end when Hhawu was able to pull away for the win.

On the women’s side, Stacie Bulloch made it a perfect three-for-three by taking the top spot with a time of 22:19, and she beat her own course record by three seconds.

Bulloch has won the women’s race all three years the race has been held.

Martinez, who has helped the Gardner Newman cross-country team enjoy a stellar fall season, pushed Bulloch and finished 12 seconds behind.

In the men’s race, Brent Mayo (19:07) was third, and he was a few seconds ahead of Troup High’s Drew Duram (19:10), who was fourth.

The next two finishers are teammates at Gardner Newman.

In fifth place was Matt Callaway (19:31), and Donta Dunson (19:51) was behind him in sixth place.

The next three runners, Ian Daughtery (20:30), Chase Drake (10:32) and Kaine Pike (20:34), are all from Callaway High, and Dustin Shelley (20:43) rounded out the top 10.

Other runners from local schools with top-20 finishes included Callaway’s Dylan Mowery (20:52), who was 11th, Troup’s Kole Murphy (21:05), who was 12th, Callaway’s Henry Hetzel (21:16), who was 13th, and Troup’s Carson Cagle (22:02) and Kyle Cason (22:09).

In the women’s race, Laura Baker (23:24) finished third, Charley Harry (23:42) of Long Cane was fourth, and Sarah Ludwick (23:53) was fifth.

Sierra Jones (24:08) of Callaway was the sixth-fastest female runner, and Long Cane’s Natalie Figiel (24:14) was seventh.

Troup High’s Evelyn Johnson (24:35) was eighth, Gardner Newman’s Zemaya Rhaney (24:42) was ninth, and Janet English (24:56) was 10th.

Gardner Newman’s Abby Vanhoose (24:59) was 11th, and her teammates Quay Robinson (25:13), Myeshia Sims (25:14), Takaika Kennedy (25:15) and Anna Doerr were the next four female finishers.

Callaway’s Mackensie Scott (25:35), Gardner Newman’s Zenaya Rhaney (25:46) and Callaway’s Shania Reeves (26:00) also had top-20 finishes.

In the one-mile race, 8-year-old Bo Morman was the top finisher with a time of 8:06, and fellow 8-year-old Reese Bulloch (8:12) was second.

OF NOTE: For more photos from Saturday’s race, check out our Facebook page. Search for LaGrange Daily News Sports, or go to www.Facebook.com/LDNsports

RESULTS

MEN

Mark Hhawu (17:54); Michael Loutzenheiser (18:02); Brent Mayo (19:07); Drew Duram (19:10); Matt Callaway (19:31); Donta Dunson (19:51); Ian Daughtery (20:30); Chase Drake (20:32); Kaine Pike (20:34); Dustin Shelley (20:43); Dylan Mowery (20:52); Kole Murphy (21:05); Henry Hetzel (21:16); Mike Moore (21:33); Ted Volkman (21:57); Carson Cagle (22:02); Kyle Cason (22:09); Winston Symmes (22:10); Madison Warfel (22:26); Jacob Rocker (22:28); Brian Riggs (22:28); Todd Lauzon (22:29); Tim Campbell (22:32); Lawson Lynd (22:33); Trey Ketchum (22:36); Marquavious Brooks (22:38); Ryan Garcia (22:41); Colton Esposito (23:07); Thavin Emerson (23:09); John Reed Batchelor (23:14); Danny Brito (23:21); Ethan Sims (23:28); Mat Loutzenheiser (23:39); Nick Trammell (23;43); Christian Gay (23:46); Anton Flores (23:48); Jacob Bearden (24:13); Mark Carlton (24:19); Hayden Taylor (24:53); Keith Roberts (24:55); John Henry Summerour (24:59); Matthew Bearden (25:00); Joe Grammer (25:01); Carter Crites (25:02); Hunter White (25:14); Andy Boykins (25:28); Evan Thompson (25:59); Gary McCreight (26:12); Antavious Langston (26:14); Mike Webb (26:15); Max Hunt (26:17); Rubin Jennings (26:28); Connor Roberts (26:40); Bailey Craig (26:41); Ethan McMullan (26:49); Jonathan Montgomery (27:00); Alexander Hewitt (27:25); Sam Johnson (28:20); Ben Alford (28:21); Gabe Stepp (28:30); Joseph Harrington (28:37); Jonathon Murphy (28:43); Terry Alford (31:12); Kevin Shelnutt (32:45); Zach Tures (33:43); Callum McCay (34:55); Hooper Hammond (35:26); Kain Hewett (37:17); Richard Garcia (37:34); Waylon McCay (38:02); Jeff Knighton (39:15); Chad Hill (40:56); Zachary Bailey (49:39).

FEMALE

Stacie Bulloch (22:19; Delfina Martinez (22:31); Laura Baker (23:24); Charley Harry (23:42); Sarah Ludwick (23:53); Sierra Jones (24:08); Natalie Figiel (24:14); Evelyn Johnson (24:35); Zemayna Rhaney (24:42); Janet English (24:56); Abby Vanhoose (24:59); Quay Robinson (25:13); Myeshia Sims (25:14); Takaika Kennedy (25:15); Anna Doerr (25:21); Mackensie Scott (25:35); Edith Freni (25:37); Zenaya Rhaney (25:46); Shania Reeves (26:00); Aprille Oxenford (26:02); Leah Watts (26:05); Pamela Rabun (26:06); Stefany Park (26:27); Taylor Townsend (26:28); Megan Scott (26:29); Christy Kelly (26:34); Kim Rocker (26:56); Chloe Morman (27:05); Amanda Thompson (27:11); Abby Barintine (27:15); Addie Eiland (27:21); Maya Worle (27:26); Alyssa Jolly (27:27); Leanne Roberts (27:43); Mary Beth Callaway (27:59); Noelle Reed (28:14); Kim Schoonover (28:15); Charlotte Flores (28:51); Sarah Hersey (29:01); Barbary Stacey (29:02); Pam Burrus (29:14); Barbary Nasworthy (29:19); Melissa Jolly (29:23); Mary Claire Finlay (29:37); Emme Thrailkill (29:40); Lindsay Potts (29:43); Faith Zolomy (29:50); Elizabeth Beach (31:36); Emily Rowlett (32:01); Sophia Rother (32:15); Cassie Shelnutt (32:46); Baylee Starling (32:50); Lauren Turner (32:51); Brooke Townsend (33:18); Donna Leatherman (33:28); Jenn Garvais (34:19); Melissa Stewart (34:25); Melanie Prater (34:39); Chloe Petrus (34:40); Charli Armstrong (34:54); Sydney Ramirez (35:24); Karen Lea Smith (35:27); Brianna Clark (35:27); Emma Walker (35:28); Kiaya Hill (35:29); Regina Daniel (35:46); Chasity Garrett (35:47); Leslie Knighton (37:04); Kristen Miller Hill (37:07); Jasmine McCloud (37:18); Sophie Sims (37:37); Holly Lynn (37:44); Donna Barber (39:28); Terry Taylor-Lauzon (39:52); Elizabeth Wood (40:45); Katie Cartwright (41:14); Miranda Wagstaff (42:31); Ashley Murray (42:31); Brenda Wall (46:34); Rhonda Grainger (48:10); Wendy Shoemaker (48:11); Brittney Chandler (48:12); Elaine Harless (56:30); Suzanne Sanders (56:30); Allison McCay (56:31); Shirlee Haleyalur (58:04); Jeri Green (58:05).

ONE-MILE RUN

Bo Morman (8:06); Reese Bulloch (8:12); Isabel Rocker (8:12); Kate Veach (8:13); Phoebe Rocker (8:15); Reid Doerr (8:26); Emmett Rocker (9:33); Jackson Butts (9:38); Whit Hammond (9:45); Cole Bulloch (11:15); Elizabeth Johnson (12:52).

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports