Forney's 5th Annual Main Street Liberty 5K Race took place on Saturday, May 4. A record number of runners, 210, participated in the event. According to Forney EDC Director Kim Buttram, it was 20 percent more participants than last year.
With music being pumped out by a DJ, the sunny Saturday race had a vibrant atmosphere. Many kids and adults first participated in the free 1 mile “Fun Run” on Main Street. Two local girls, Emily and Ivy Carr sprinted across the finish line first in that event. The twins later participated and completed the 5K run.
EDC staff member Kayla Bryson was responsible for putting the event together. The 5K benefited the effort to get the clock tower at Main and Elm fixed and upgraded. The cost to repair the clock and add a sound system will cost approximately $15,000. Buttram thanked Bryson for her hard work and told the crowd, “We wanted to show the city that downtown and new Forney connect.” The race course started on Main Street and Elm and went all the way to the Forney Community Park and back to Main St.
The 210 enthusiastic runners lined up for the start of the 5K after the Fun Run ended. Mayor Darren Rozell gave the countdown to start the run and a large number of onlookers and well wishers cheered on the participants. As the race took place, the DJ played a song by Montgomery Gentry called “My Town.” The lyrics seemed to fit perfectly at the downtown event, “Where I was born, where I was raised, where I keep all my yesterdays...this is my town.”
Joshua Taylor was the Men's Open Winner with a finish time of just under 19 minutes. Elyse Derian was the Women's Open Winner with a finish time of just under 20 minutes. The three top finishers in each age group were given trophies and medals at the end of the event. The awards were announced by Councilman Ray Stephens and presented by Mayor Darren Rozell, Councilman James Hatley, and Councilwoman Mary Penn.
The race results can be found by clicking here.