Cannon Blast Sets Attendance Record



Cannon Blast Sets Attendance Record

Hoppy and Helen Davenport were the most elderly participants.

It was off to the races in Woodbury on Saturday, September 17 as Cannon County Youth Dream, Inc. held the Eighth Annual Cannon Blast 5k Run and Walk.

Each year this non-profit organization holds the event with the goal of generating more funds to be dispersed back into our county schools.  Money is alocatted in the form of teacher minigrants for tools and supplies for the classrooms in our county, and also by scholarships awarded to deserving Cannon County High School students who are about to enter college.

This year’s Cannon Blast was record setting in attendance. One hundred fourteen runners/walkers participated in The Blast. Many from the community gathered to cheer on the runners and walkers as they took off and crossed the finish line.  The course begins and ends at the Arts Center, involving Cross the River Road, Old Murfreesboro Highway, Mile Valley Road, and the four lane Murfreesboro Highway.

CCYD board members, along with volunteers from the high school HOSA organization and SunCrest Home Health, were stationed along the route to call out times and serve at water stations. Safety is always a priority during the race.  As always, both the Cannon County Sherrif’s Department and the Woodbury Police Department, as well as the Cannon County Rescue Squad were on hand to oversee the race course.

A special invitation was sent out this year to all the schools in our county to come and be a part of The Blast.  A great number of teachers, students, and parents came out to be a part of the race.  For the younger children of Cannon County, a kid’s area was available this year.  While their parents were a part of the race, children ages third grade and under could play games, ride tricycles and such, and have free face painting.

Cannon County Youth Dream, Inc. is dedicated to helping make the education experience an exciting and successful one for the youth of our community. As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child”.  With the support and turn out at The Blast, it is evident that Cannon County is well aware of the importance of our children and their education.  CCYD would like to thank the 2011 Cannon Blast sponsors, the race participants, our schools, and our community for making the Eighth Annual Cannon Blast 5k Run and Walk the best to date! We look forward to seeing even more of Cannon County at next year’s Blast!

For more information about Cannon County Youth Dream and the race, contact Aletha Thomas at  thomasmom5@gmail.com.

A big thank you goes out to this year’s Cannon Blast Sponsors…Farm Bureau Insurance, Woodbury Medical Center, Stones River Hospital, Care All, Lions Club, First National Bank, Sue Patrick, CPA, Woodbury Funeral Home , Coomes Chiropratic, and Affect Plus.

Special Thanks also goes to…SunCrest Home Health, Rachel Parker, Kroger, Dollar General Market, Sonic, Phillip and Kim Mullins, Cannon County Sherrif’s Department, Woodbury Police Department, Cannon County Rescue Squad, the state garage, The Arts Center of Cannon County, The Cannon Courier, WBRY, Derrick Hughes, Cannon County High School HOSA, and all the other Blast volunteers.

The Eighth Annual Cannon Blast Winners and Results

Top Overall Male: Brian Elrod (Time: 18:22)

Top Overall Female:  Macy Clements (Time: 23:54)

Grand Master Male:  Bernie Coomes (23:25)

Grand Master Female:  Starr McVey (33:10)

Youngest Participant:  Mason Tremmel (age 6)

Oldest Participants: Hoppy and Helen Davenport

Largest Represented Group: Cannon County High Cross Country Team

Best School Participation: Woodbury Grammar School

9 and under male: 1st Blake Bush, 2nd Levi Driver, 3rd Dylan Taylor

9 and under female: 1st Julie Bush, 2nd Etta Gaines, 3rd Aida Davis

10-14 male: 1st Marshall McReynolds, 2nd Jake Burdick, 3rd Josh Williams

10-14 female: 1st Hannah Faulkner, 2nd Malva Magand, 3rd Lauren Turney

15-19 male: 1st Jordan Turney, 2nd Matthew Turney, 3rd Wesley Alexander

15-19 female: 1st Macy Clements, 2nd Madison Walkup, 3rd Allison Bush

20-29 male: 1st Jason McVey, 2nd Josh Miller, 3rd Daniel Ree

20-29 female: 1st Reagan Vaughn, 2nd Ashley Smith, 3rd Hope Tenpenny, Brooke Weaver

30-39 male: 1st Brian Elrod, 2nd Jeff Todd, 3rd Ron Poston

30-39 female: 1st Felicia Walkup, 2nd Samantha Levy, 3rd Niki Delk

40-49 male: 1st Darrell Turney, 2nd Wade Duggin, 3rd Ronny Murphey

40-49 female: 1st Lynn Gregg, 2nd Gina Burke, 3rd Jennifer Coppinger

50-59 male: 1st Bernie Coomes, 2nd Wade Anderson, 3rd Marc Larson

50-59 female: 1st Starr McVey, 2nd Cindy Larson, 3rd Kathy Hale

(See the Oct. 4 edition of the Cannon Courier for more pictures)