Fannin County runners made their presence known in the Big Foot Boogie November 2 when they took victories in two of the age groups.
Eric Woods, of Morganton, claimed the first place trophy in the Male 50-59 age group with a time of 23:17. Anthony Rivera took top honors among runners in the Male 60-69 age group with a time of 24:01.
This year’s race set the record for the largest turnout in the Riverwalk Run Series with 320 registrations and 294 finishers.
The series, boasting a two-state 5K three times a year, was created by Matthew Cole, a corporate strategist and avid runner.
The Bigfoot Boogie was the inaugural trial run event held October 30, 2020. Cole said last week he had hoped for 50 runners, but 150 showed up, “cementing” the idea’s potential. The Turkey Trot was added in the fall and Walk the Line placed on the schedule for the summer.
This year’s November Bigfoot race marked the fifth annual trek through downtown McCaysville and Copperhill and along the scenic Toccoa River.
Several others runners from the local area also finished with top marks. They included:
•Brian Collins, of Epworth, who finished second in the Male 50-59 age bracket with a time of 24:20;
•Jeff Himebaugh, of Blue Ridge, who placed third in the Male 60-69 age group with a time of 25:18; and
•Jorge Perez, of Cherry Log, who finished second in the Male 30-39 group and third overall with a time of 20:58.
Other runners showing up among some of the top finishers were Andrew Moreland, of Morganton; Karen McKenize, of McCaysville, Sharon Arnold, of Blue Ridge, Joel Saunders, of Blue Ridge, Daphne Martin, of Turtletown, and Nate Maloof, of Epworth.
Cole reminded runners they can register now for the 2025 series of races at www.riverwalkrunseries.com.
Early bird registration starts at $30.