Fannin County runners proved local competitors are tough to beat when over 500 runners converged on downtown Blue Ridge for the Freedom 5K on the morning of July 4.
Contestants represented Georgia, Florida, Utah, Virginia and several other states in the annual event.
At the finish line, local athletes Koen Verner, Lindsey Holloway, Karli Sams, Lila Roof, Dr. Lucas Roof, Miranda Roof, Sherry Roof and Emily Krueger all placed among the top finishers.
Verner, an upcoming freshman at Fannin County High School (FCHS), came in first place overall with a time of 17:24.
Holloway, an upcoming junior at FCHS, was the second overall female finisher with a time of 19:16.
An upcoming sophomore at FCHS, Sams placed third int he female 11 to 14 age category.
Lila Roof, who will be a fourth grader at Blue Ridge Elementary, took first place honors in the 1 to 10 age group.
Dr. Lucas Roof, the Fannin School System’s Chief Academic Officer, crossed the finish line fifth in the race and was the overall Male Masters winner with a time of 18:10.
Another school system employee, Miranda Roof, was the sixth female to finish the race and came in second place in the Female Masters group with a time of 23:12.
Sherry Roof of Mineral Bluff was the first place winner in the female 70 to 99 age group.
Krueger, of Blue Ridge, captured first place honors in the female 40-44 age group.
The race was sponsored by Angry Hops Brewing and Blue Ridge Sip & Play.