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With its largest turnout ever on a mild Thanksgiving morning, the 13th annual Lexington Gobble Wobble 5-kilometer running and walking race and fun run benefited three local organizations.
The races welcomed about 575 registered participants and raised 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 40s. The 5K course started and finished in the Maury River Middle School parking lot and went into downtown Lexington and back, with volunteers pointing the way and providing encouragement throughout the race.
JOSH COOPER receives his award from event director Evan Hanna after placing second in the Lexington Gobble Wobble 5K. Cooper, a Parry McCluer High School junior cross country and track runner, finished in 16:37.09. (Jamie Chandler photo)
Winning the 5K for the fourth consecutive year was Kedryn Chandler, 22, a 2021 Parry McCluer High School graduate and a Southern Virginia University junior cross country runner and track runner, finishing in 15 minutes, 29.35 seconds, nearly a second faster than his winning time last year. Josh Cooper, 16, a junior PM cross country and track runner, placed second of 465 participants in 16:37.09. Placing third was Gabe Mahn, 16, clocking 17:23.74.
The top female finisher was Cayce Friesenhahn, 34, placing 12th overall in 19:46.54. Finishing second among females was Natalie White, 18, placing 17th overall in 20:39.2. The third female finisher was Julia Hentz, 25, placing 20th in 21:05.47.
Male age group winners were B. Eichholz (14 and under, 20:51.14), Asa Mahan (15-19, 19:26.37), Jack Moody (20-29, 17:59.26), Dan Wedig (30-39, 18:07.04), Blake Shester (40-49, 19:46.79), Steven Short (50-59, 21:17.24) and Steven Donald (60 and over, 25:29.65).
Female age group winners were Sloane Reid (14 and under, 25:20.31), Lydia Short (15-19, 21:26.39), Karalyn Timmes (20-29, 22:54.73), Channing Salava (3039, 24:17.32), Ann Irvine (40-49, 23:51.67), Rebecca Lawrence (50-59, 25:23.2) and Margaret Haberman (60 and over, 30:05.82).
For full race results, visit www.commonwealthtiming.net. For more information on the Gobble Wobble, visit www.lexingtongobblewobble.com.
