Every year at what seems like the crack of dawn (it’s really 8 a.m.) a host of brave souls line up to run five kilometers. It’s all for fun and for charity. The Don Clark Memorial 5 K Run is an annual event in the Branford River Reunion for July 4.



This year’s entrants were treated to some muggy weather but the mosquitoes that devoured the runners were less present. The Run heads about three miles down Branford’s lovely Greenway along the Suwannee. The birds were chirping and the insects buzzing as the runners prepared to head off.Three-peating this year was Live Oak’s Jason Stegall. Stegall’s time of 18:41 was slightly off of his last year’s blistering 17:55.



Stegall is a college student at Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Miss. and has always loved to run. He was on the cross country team at Suwannee High and won himself a scholarship to run at Lindenwood. Even though Stegall dropped off the Lindenwood cross country team for last year, he still runs.



April Morse won again this year in the women’s competition. Morris ran the race in 21:14.”When I got to the turn-around, I stopped, got something to drink and then figured I better head back,” Stegall said. “It’s really good to see these people get out.”



There were plenty of runners there from Live Oak. Chris and Joe Flanagan ran. Jon and Tori Wood, Brad Lewis and many more folks from Live Oak were out to run. There were 77 entries.



Janet Schrader may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 132 or by e-mail at janet.schrader@gaflnews.com.