Over 400 walkers and runners met on Lee University’s campus last Saturday for the 65 Roses 5K race, held annually to raise funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“It was so good to see people back running the streets of Cleveland,” said Dr. Bill Estes, race coordinator. “There were so many young runners in this year’s event, and we had our youngest ever overall winner, 14-year-old Owen Clemons.”

Clemons took first place with his overall time of 17:08, averaging 5:31 a mile. Micah Smart came in second at 17:30, running a 5:38 average mile.

Becky Rader was the overall winner for the women’s division, taking 13th place with a time of 19:38. Estella Clemons was the 16th overall and the second female, coming in at exactly 20 minutes.

Regions Bank donated a green Regions bicycle presented to the 65th runner to cross the finish line, but two runners, Lee student Riley Henry and 10-year-old-Elijah Bean, tied for 65th with a time of 24:18. Regions has donated a second bicycle so that both will receive the prize.

In order to follow recommended state and local guidelines, all runners were placed in specific corrals that allowed for proper social distancing, and masks were worn when participants were not running. The five corrals were named in honor of local individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis with their team names, including Getting It Gone for Garrett, Team Nathan, Olivia’s Ohana, Lucas’s Avengers, and Team Holly & Jimmy.

“The logistics were a bit more involved this year with corrals and keeping people separated, and the event was scaled back a bit, but the volunteers and the runners made this a fantastic event by working with us to stay safe, said Estes. “The real winner today is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.”

Prizes were awarded to those in first, second, and third for every age group, as follows: