Defiant Run a success
Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 1, 2007
The Selma Times-Journal
Six states, 85 people, one purpose &045; to celebrate diversity.
On Saturday, Selma hosted its fourth Annual Defiant Run. The 13-mile run and obstacle course brought people of different races and ages together for an event that made them lose their breath and gain knowledge.
Participants of different races are cuffed together during the entire race.
Bill Potter and Tony Johnson of Selma ran the race together last year and took second place. The two &045; sponsored by Bush Hog &045; paired up again this year and took first in the Men’s Division and first Overall.
This is the third run for Johnson and the second for Potter. Not only did they take the first-place trophy, they won $500.
Potter, 60, and Johnson, 29, both trained for the race beforehand.
Potter, who is the product manager Bush Hog, enjoyed last year’s event and was enthusiastic about its purpose.
He was able to get some of his coworkers to sign up for the 5K Fun Run and Walk.
Tameka Little and Valerie Chittom of Selma took first place in the women’s division and second Overall and won $250.
Pierre Webster of Selma partnered with Adam Davis of Birmingham. The duo came in second in the Men’s Division and third Overall. They won $100.
Scout Johnson, 12, and Luke Godber, 11 of Birmingham came in first in the 5K Fun Run and Walk.
Participants in the 5K received certificates of participation.
Seeing the enthusiasm of Scout, Native American, and Luke, Caucasian, one might have thought they’d won a million bucks. The pair ran the 5K and was pumped about their accomplishment.
Both boys were panting and sweating hard. Luke took a seat under a tree at the Performing Arts Theatre.
This was the first participating for Scout and the second for Luke.
Andrea Brutscher, 35, of Whitesburg, Ky., came with a group of two other adults and five teenagers.
Bruscher said all of the chaperones walked, but &8220;all of my kids ran.&8221;
Bruscher said Whitesburg is not a very diverse place, but they are trying to teach the youth that the event is not just about coming together for a race, &8220;but a coming together of people.&8221;
5K Walkers’ responses:
Jackie Dean, 47, Atlanta, Ga.
5K Fun Run and Walk, first year
Amy Fabricus, 31, Selma, Ala.
5K Fun Run and Walk, fourth year
Danetta Evans, 24, Montgomery, Ala.
5K Fun Run and Walk, first year
John Willoughby, 31, Selma, Ala.
5K Fun Run and Walk, first year
He was late registering for the 13-mile run.
Said the run was &8220;healthy,&8221; but was motivated to enter by the prize money.
Joseph Smith, 73, Selma, Ala.
5K Fun Run and Walk, first year