“Saturday was the perfect morning for the 5th annual Cannon Runs for Children 5K,” announced Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Hammond. “The Cannon County Child Advocacy Center wants to thank all the sponsors and runners. It was a beautiful day to run.”
The event was held at the Arts Center of Cannon County. Keith Ready, Cannon Courier News and Sports Content Creator, was the master of ceremonies.
The Honorable Judge Susan Melton presented the Hometown Heroes Award to Tony Burnett for his outstanding dedication to justice for Cannon County children. Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer announced that Venessa Hyer from the Department of Children’s Services won the second Hometown Heroes Award.
Ready expressed sincere gratitude to the event sponsors. The Platinum sponsor was the Arts Center of Cannon County. The Gold Sponsor was Stones River Wealth Management. Silver and Bronze sponsors were the Cowan Family, DTC Communications, Experience Community Church Cannon County, First Bank, Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, Connie Higgins with Higgins Flea Market, Tri Star Title Company, Retired District Attorney General Bill and Lucy Whitesell, and Woodbury Drug Center. Friends of the CAC included 210 Willow, Cyndi Bush, Capstar Bank, Jonathon Fagan Attorney at Law, Katina George Circuit Court Clerk, Iron Pig Antiques, Overstreet HVAC, Preston Brothers, and Nolan and Treava Travis.
Ready also thanked Blake Finney from Shelter Insurance, CASA, Cannon County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and Stones River Wealth Management volunteers for providing granola bars, bananas, and bottled water for the runners. He expressed appreciation to the Arts Center of Cannon County for graciously donating the venue and providing a place for the runners to warm up!
Tony Burnett led a prayer for the runner’s safety and Personal Best Timing Jamie Neil and Cannon Runs Committee Member Brian Elrod announced the instructions and the run route.
Race Results:
- Overall winners: Jacob Carrigan (first place), Jason Barrett (second place), Chris Cope (third place)
- Female 1 -12: A. Ferrell (first place), F. Smith (second place), N. Manning (third place)
- Males 1 – 12: H. Tuck (first place), C. Merriman (second place), C. Alexander (third place)
- Female 13 to 18: Ellie Leach (first place), Madelyn Leach (second place), Ava Gfroerer (third place)
- Males 13 to 18: Matthew Phillips (first place), Colton Kennamer (second place), Samuel Mason (third place)
- Females 19 to 64: Brooke Slaughter (first place), Rhonda Carr (second place), Shirley Barrett (third place)
- Males 19 to 64: Wesley Alexander (first place), Stuart Leach (second place), Jesse Slaughter (third place)
- Senior Citizen (65+): Kenneth Bell (first place), James Adkins (second place)
Child Advocacy Center Development Coordinator Katie Enzor thanked the 2023 Cannon Runs for Children 5K committee members who made this a successful event: Retired Judge Susan Melton, Judge Matthew Cowan, Brian Elrod, Christine O’Day, Keith Ready, and Kamille Smith.
The 2024 Cannon Runs for Children 5K Planning Committee is looking for committee members. If you would like to serve on it, contact Amanda Hammond or Katie Enzor at (615) 563-9915 or ahammond@cannoncac.org or kenzor@cacrutherford.org.
CAC Media Release