Heart for the Lion's Run
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on September 11, 2017 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Lori Hooks, right, works to catch up with her race partner Deanna Ryan Saturday during the Lion's Run Obstacle Race at Unity Baptist Church to benefit All the King's Children Foundation.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Tim Smith clears the last wall to finish the Lion's Run Obstacle Race Saturday morning.
Anyone who saw the Lion's Run obstacle course at Unity Baptist Church in Mount Olive Saturday could have been forgiven for being a bit surprised.
The course was at the center of the Lion's Run fundraising event, which raised money for the All the King's Children foundation in Mount Olive. Dozens of obstacles constructed out of sturdy wood, rope and canvas covered most of the church's rear lawn, kids and adults alike clambering up and down to try and make it to the end.
Church member Hannah Huckaby had the idea for the course in her Sunday school class, and it came together quickly after that. Steve Kennedy, another church member, built the obstacles through his business, Steve Kennedy Construction Company, over four long days of work.
Huckaby said the event showed how people in the church community could come together.
"We had over 60 church volunteers, as well as some students from the University of Mount Olive," she said. "Between participants and spectators, we've had about 100 people here so far."
Business was brisk in the early morning, but lulled around lunch time.
Sascha Mosshammer helped construct the course. He stood by and watched a group of kids take turns trying to climb over a tall incline, many of them coming down with smiles after missing the top just barely. He said construction had been hard work.
"It was four full days, and when I say full days I mean getting back at 8 p.m.," he said with a laugh. "Hopefully we can make this an annual event."
The church will not be able to keep the obstacles on its property year-round, as the wood has not been treated to withstand prolonged exposure to the weather. Some pieces will be stored, while others will be taken apart and put back together later on.
Mosshammer said that, while he would always like to see more people come out, this year's event was just the first step.
"A lot of people around here have never seen something like this, so hopefully now they're more familiar with it and will come out when we do it again," he said.
Rev. Ronnie Wise, pastor at Unity Baptist, said he was excited by the idea of running the races again next year. More important than that, though, was the message it sent to the community.
"This is about the raising money for the charity, above all else," he said. "It does also help the church in showing the community that the church cares about it, is interested in helping out."