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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The annual Peach Run through the streets of Clanton eclipsed a massive milestone on June 15 holding its 20th run in the community. A signature event during the Chilton County Peach Festival each year, the Peach Run had its largest turnout for a run in its 20-year history with over 140 runners participating in the 10k, 5k and one-mile fun runs.

“It was very awesome, and we are always excited to host the run each year,” Lesia Childress, Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness Fitness Director, said. “It has been a tradition for 20 years now … It was our biggest run yet, and it was great.”

Cornerstone was again the starting and finishing point for the Peach Run that meandered through downtown Clanton and the surrounding areas. The gym and its partners provided over 65 volunteers, its largest number ever, to help put on the run and keep the runners safe throughout it.

In the 10k run, Steven Cranston from Sylacauga took the male top overall winner with a time of 34:17, followed by Jason Mayfield from Chelsea (39:11) in second place and Brayden Hutton from Columbiana in third place (42:44). Rachel Costa of Montgomery won the 10k female top overall spot completing the run in 44:50. Costa was followed by Suzannah Streets of Alabaster in second place with a 49:57, and Josie Payne from Columbiana in third place with a 52:30.

The 5k run saw Carter Wood of Columbiana take the top male overall winner with a time of 18:48, followed by Makonnen Falcon from Columbiana in second place (19:33) and Draven Patterson from Thorsby in third place (21:12). The female top overall winners in the 5k run were led by Samantha Sims with a 24:35 in first place, Kaye Porter from Montgomery in second place with a 26:23 and Debra Weldon from Deatsville in third place with a 27:35.

This year was the second year the Peach Run hosted its one-mile fun run, and the group participating in the run grew from eight last year to 35 in 2024.

Around 40 door prizes were donated to the Peach Run by local businesses around Chilton County and they were drawn for following the run. Durbin Farms provided baskets of fresh peaches to give to the winners of each division in the run, and Alabama Congressman Gary Palmer provided the funding for the shirts each runner was given for participating.

Childress said that Cornerstone’s staff and administration enjoy volunteering for the run each year, they enjoy supporting the peach farmers throughout the Peach Festival and being a prominent part of the festivities each year.

“This run gives a sense of community for sure, and we used to kick off the festivities of the Peach Festival and we would host the run the weekend before the pageants got started,” Childress said. “The run has now grown into a much larger Peach Festival event, and we are thrilled to still continue our tradition of being a part of the festivities.”

 

Results of the 2024 Peach Run

10K

Male Overall Winners

1. Steven Cranston, Sylacauga
2. Jason Mayfield, Chelsea
3. Brayden Hutton, Columbiana

Female Overall Winners

1. Rachel Costa, Montgomery
2. Suzannah Streets, Alabaster
3. Josie Payne, Columbiana

Male 11-19

• Alex Fleming, Shelby

Male 20-29

• Neal Ousley, Clanton

Female 20-29

• Samantha Carter, Plantersville

Female 30-39

• Meredith Tittle, Birmingham

Male 40-49

• Darius Gamble, Gardendale

Female 40-49

• Dawn Aultman, Selma

Male 50-59

• John Porter, Montgomery

Female 50-59

• Catherine Jared, Alabaster

Male 60-69

• Joe Boros, Montgomery

Male 70 and Over

• Downey McGee, Centreville

 

5K

Male Overall Winners

1. Carter Wood, Columbiana
2. Makonnen Falcon, Columbiana
3. Draven Matterson, Thorsby

Female Overall Winners

1. Samantha Sims, United States
2. Kaye Porter, Montgomery
3. Debra Weldon, Deatsville

Male 10 and Under

• Lynn, Jemison

Female 10 and Under

• Trohnew, United States

Male 11-19

• Skyler Greene, Clanton

Male 20-29

• Michael Ratliff, Maplesville

Female 20-29

• Marissa Muir, Clanton

Male 30-39

• Joshua Cochran, Montgomery

Female 30-39

• Jodie Hood, Clanton

Male 40-49

• David Norris, Prattville

Female 40-49

• Kelly Easterling, Clanton

Male 50-59

• Donald Hand, Clanton

Female 50-59

• Phyllis Harris, Harvest

Male 60-69

• Jeff Aiken, Alabaster

Female 60-69

• Beth Hughes, Prattville

Male 70 and Over

• Gene Huley, United States

 

One-Mile Run

Male Overall Winner

• M Kelley, Clanton

Female Overall Winner

• Champion, Montevallo

Male 18 and Under

• Wilder, Clanton

Female 18 and Under

• Ellison, United States

Male 19-79

• Ryan Ellison, Clanton

Female 19-79

• Baylee Minor, Clanton

Male 80 and Over

• Tony Hughes, Prattville