With a large number of runners and walkers taking to the streets of Lexington on Thanksgiving morning, the 14th annual Lexington Gobble Wobble 5-kilometer race and fun run benefited three local organizations.
The 5K race welcomed 468 participants, raising money for the Rockbridge Christmas Baskets, the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Community Table for the Rockbridge Area. The Lexington- Rockbridge Jaycees Gobble Wobble committee organized the event, with the help of volunteers from the community and board members of the event’s beneficiaries.
A short children’s fun run of kids running in the Maury River Middle School parking lot began the morning at 8:30 a.m., and then the moderately hilly 5K started at 9, with sunny weather and temperatures in the upper 30s. The 5K course started and finished in the MRMS School parking lot and went into downtown Lexington and back, with volunteers pointing the way and providing encouragement throughout the race.
Winning the 5K was Josh Cooper, 17, a Parry Mc-Cluer High School senior cross country and track runner. Cooper completed the course in 16 minutes, 21 seconds. MacKenzye Leroy, 29, placed second in 16:58. Finishing third was Dan Baur, 39, in 17:14.
The top female finisher was Laurel Sheffield Leroy, 29, a 2014 Rockbridge County High School graduate who ran cross country and track for RC and Division I school Davidson College. Laurel placed ninth overall in 18:39. Finishing second among females and 13th overall was Cayce Friesenhan, 35, in 18:49. Karalyn Timmes, a 2020 RC graduate, placed third among females and 16th overall in 19:44.
Male age group winners were Matthew Cooper (14 and under, 19:47), Jonathan Fencer (15-19, 18:29), Abraham Schroeder (20-29, 18:07), Dan Wedig (30-39, 18:34), Steve Baur (40-49, 21:22), Nathaniel Dahm (50-59, 20:27) and Mark Cline (60 and over, 25:21).
Female age group winners were Lucia Viquez (0-14, 22:04), Kyra Lee (15-19, 20:08), Maria Mcvey (20-29, 24:33), Shannon Huger (30-39, 23:38), Kathryn Lambert (40-49, 27:11), Rebecca Lawrence (50-59, 26:51) and Melanie Wilson (60 and over, 34:18).
For full results and more information on the Gobble Wobble 5K, visit www.lexingtongobblewobble.com.
