Another Successful Year

Another Successful Year

PHOTO: Runners from across the world came together at Broadway Baptist on Saturday. (just4running.com)

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — It was another successful year for the Rainsville Freedom Run as residents of DeKalb County sweat out the warm morning with fellow racers from all over the United States and five other counties around the world.

More than 900 showed up early on Saturday morning to support this great cause. Runners came in all ages, shapes, and sizes to run for the many charities that the Run benefits: The Summit, Running for Uganda, On My Own 2 Feet, Running for Joy, Kids Bolt, Turning Point Pregnancy Center, DeKalb County Animal Shelter, and the the Safe Haven No Kill Animal Shelter. Even former Olympian Rob Mullett, who represented Great Britain in the 2016 Summer Olympics, found a place to run amongst the many participants.

Freedom Run Race Director Jerry Clifton shared this statement via Facebook:

"THANK YOU. Thank you for registering, for showing up, for cheering on runner, for participating, for inviting or encouraging a friend, for volunteering, for welcoming others, for stuffing race bags, for preparing food, for manning a water station, for directing people where to go.

Thank you for providing a door prize or sponsorship money, for offering your resources. Thank you for your help, effort, energy and time. Thank you for BELIEVING in and SUPPORTING our race.

YOU have made our ten year anniversary our biggest and best year yet. YOU are what makes [the] Rainsville Freedom Run GREAT and we appreciate each and every one of you more than we can say. You are our race family!"

Clifton was recognized on Monday night at the regular meeting of the Rainsville City Council for exceptional achievements as the race's director.

All of us at Southern Torch look forward to another great Freedom Run next year!

For two super sized albums of photos from this year's Freedom Run, check out just4running.com on Facebook!