Clifton & Willingham complete yearlong running milestone

Clifton & Willingham complete yearlong running milestone

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Rainsville runners Jerry Clifton and Pam Willingham are celebrating a milestone: 365 consecutive days of running. 

“I’ve just got to thank the Lord for giving us the health to be able to do 365 days in a row,” Clifton said. “I thank Him for all of our great friends who encourage us and ran with us along the way, this has just been incredible.”

Clifton stated he initially only planned to run alongside Willingham for 30 days, but slowly boosted the goal.

A special ceremony was held at Vintage 1889 on Tuesday by Lynn Locklear Brewer, whom Clifton calls his “chief cheerleader” in the yearlong endeavor. 

Clifton serves as the race coordinator of the Rainsville Freedom Run, which is set to be held on June 19, 2021 at DeKalb County Schools Coliseum in Rainsville. The race begins at 8 a.m. and registration is now open at runsignup.com/race/al/rainsville/rainsvillefreedomrun10k5k. 

Known as “the best small race of America,” the Rainsville Freedom Run is open to runners and walkers of all ages. The event features numerous door prizes and cash prizes for the top five finishers in both the 10K and 5K races. Funds generated by the 2021 run will remain in the community, helping local citizens through donations and charities. 

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