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The Plant City Courier & Tribune

Plant City > News

Local Talent Wins Strawberry Run

By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: March 11, 2009

PLANT CITY - The inaugural 2009 Strawberry Challenge was a big success as 125 runners and walkers joined in a 5-kilometer run-and-walk benefitting ministries at Plant City Church of God.

"The response to the event was awesome," said Peggy Nelson, wife of the Strawberry Challenge organizer, youth minister Mike Nelson.

"Everyone enjoyed the challenge. We have heard nothing but positive reactions from everyone."

Proceeds from the Feb. 14 run and walk through Walden Lake go to a church building fund for the youth ministry and to help finance Operation Passion, a ministry to the needy, Peggy Nelson said.

Two riders, Ray Hargrove and Dwayne Chevalier, who operate hand cycles, took their time on the 5K route through the streets and walking and bike trails in Walden Lake. Hargrove, who lost his legs while fighting in Vietnam, and Chevalier, who had polio in childhood in the 1950s, are Walden Lake residents who ride regularly around the community.

The top four finishers among the runners, in order, included Arian Farid, a senior at Durant High School; John Carter, a runner from Zephyrhills; Cristie Raburn, an assistant principal at the new Strawberry Crest High School; and Grace Vandergrist, a sophomore cross country runner at Durant High.

Some of those who registered alternated between walking and running as they made their way along the course. A father and daughter team from Lakeland ran the whole way.

"This race was a Christmas present for my dad," said Amy Hurndon, 21, a junior at Southeastern University. "One way for us to spend more time together is to run in charity-sponsored races."

"I'm glad she is sticking with the 5K runs," said Cliff Hurndon, who is a psychology teacher at the same university. He said they have been running together recently in 5K events all over Central Florida.

"I want to stick with this distance for a while," he said.
Mike Nelson said the date has already been selected for the 2010 Strawberry Challenge.

"Feb. 20," Nelson said. "We accomplished everything we set out to do with the first annual event. Next year will be bigger and even better."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

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