More than 300 runners participate in Greater Goldsboro Road Race

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 14, 2013 1:51 AM

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A near-perfect morning greeted 331 of the best distance runners in eastern North Carolina on Saturday for the 35th annual Greater Goldsboro Road Run sponsored by the Sunrise Kiwanis. Temperatures in the 60s and sunny skies made for a pleasant run through the streets of downtown Goldsboro.

Defending 10K champion Connor Jones found the climate to his liking as he captured a second consecutive title. The Wayne Christian School cross country standout completed the course in 37 minutes and 50 seconds.

"We are right in the middle of track season so I am in pretty good shape right now," Jones said. "I have another race next weekend, so I have been staying busy. I will take some time off over the summer when it gets really hot."

Kent Vinson finished second in the 10K in 43:56. Walter Bennett claimed third place in 44:26. Hannah Lee was the first female finisher in the 10K in 46:09.

Mark Johnson found the 10K course too short for his liking. Johnson, a Princeton resident, ran from his home to the starting line and then completed the race in 48:46. An avid marathon runner, Johnson viewed the race as a way to close out his training for the day.

"It's good to get out early and get loose," Johnson said. "I decided to run here as a warmup and get myself going. I feel better when I run longer distances."

Johnson and several other runners from the Rock Steady Running Club met at the finish line.

"A few years ago I went to a local track and started running," Johnson said. "I met Brandon Holloman and he talked me into doing my first race. I started in 2008 and I have never looked back."

Pete Gobbson claimed first place in the 5K race. Gobbson finished the course in 18 minutes and 12 seconds. Will Collins (18:35) placed second and Nick Gringas (18:52) ran third overall.

Kenneth Carnes won the wheelchair event in 25:38. Lloyd Kelso (29:55) finished second.

"It was truly a great day for this event," Sunrise Kiwanis representative Scott Edwards said. "We missed the rain by about 12 hours for the second consecutive year and that helped get us a big turnout."

The proceeds from the race will go to help young people in Wayne County.

"I want to thank everyone that took the time to participate," Edwards said. "We help out about 25 different youth organizations and having this kind of support is excellent."

The Greater Goldsboro Road Race is the second oldest road race in the state of North Carolina.