65 Roses Award Winners Announced

Thursday, April 22, 2021

65 Roses participants at the start of the 5K

Owen Clemons, first to cross the 65 Roses 5K finish line

Becky Rader, overall female winner, crossing the finish line

Over 400 walkers and runners met on Lee University’s campus 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.”

Owen 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 and 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 Dr. 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:

Females 0-14
First: Lyndi Chapman
Second: Sadie Wielfaert
Third: Lily Rader

Females 15-19
First: Estella Clemons
Second: Caroline Saunder
Third: Ella Lipscomb

Females 20-24
First: Lexa McLauchlin
Second: Laura Hodges
Third: Kennedy Blair

Females 25-29
First: Leslie Nunnelly
Second: Shawna Staup
Third: Christy Cornelius

Females 30-34
First: Becky Rader
Second: Stephanie Rynas-Jones
Third: Lauren Hill

Females 35-39
First: Gina Simpson
Second: Bonnie Cretton
Third: Tiffany Boring

Females 40-44
First: Michelle Chapman
Second: Jaina Ellis
Third: Jennifer Moore

Females 45-49
First: Kristen Mullett
Second: Robin Ward
Third: Teri Henderson

Females 50-54
First: Carrie Vibbert
Second: Kimberly Peak
Third: Loretta Langley

Females 55-59
First: Irina Palyakova
Second: Patricia Silvers
Third: Laura Baker

Females 60-64
First: Charlene Moultric
Second: Lisa Danben