Aiken celebrated the 38th annual Triple Crown Road Race on Saturday morning, March 9, as participants finished a 5K or 10 mile run.
Hosted at the Odell Weeks Activity Center, located at 1700 Whiskey Road, former race director Gregg Flach, who currently serves on Aiken Running Club’s board of directors, said the Triple Crown event is one of Aiken’s “longest standing races.”
“We were able to bring it back in 2016 and we’ve been building it up stronger and stronger every year,” Flach said.
In addition to bringing the community together, Triple Crown Race Committee member and President of the Aiken Running Club Franny Weaver said this year’s race proceeds were going to benefit the Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs.
“It just means a lot to me because it’s about the runners and giving to a great organization,” she said. “… as a runner, we just want to keep people running and keep people enjoying what they like to do. I want them to have something to look forward to each year.”
Keeping in theme with the race’s horse motif, Weaver said committee members wanted to support the Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs because of their local work in promoting overall health for those living with mental or physical diversities.
“We couldn’t do it without the community and with everyone pulling together,” said Eva Finnan, Great Oak Equine’s lead program instructor. “Our job is to raise the money to service and do this program, and this is huge. It goes right into the scholarships for the students.”
Stating that approximately 60% of the program’s clientele ride thanks to scholarships created from the generosity of many locals, Finnan said the program’s biggest struggle is balancing services, summer camps, scholarships and maintenance/business fees.
“We will never turn anyone away if they can’t afford it. We will make something happen,” Finnan said. “So we have a big gap to fill for what they can afford to pay and what it actually costs us.”
With almost 400 runners participating, despite the gloomy weather, Weaver said she predicted a total donation of $3,000 going towards the Great Oak Equine.
“That will fund a lot of horse riding lessons,” said Finnan.
For 39-year-old Joy Miller, two-time overall winner in the female category for the 10-mile race and semi-professional athlete, Aiken’s annual footrace is one of the year’s best events.
“I love this race. It’s nice and flat,” Miller said. “… every year, for years, Triple Crown has been an amazing race.”
Fellow runner Richard Podlesny, who won first place in the 5K male 70-98 age category with a time of 33:32:97, said he joined in on the day’s races to qualify for the Hat Trick Challenge medal that awards locals who participate in the Augusta Half, Palmetto Peach and the Triple Crown Road Race.
“It felt good to win,” he said. “This gets people to come together because it takes a lot of work to run a race.”
As race winners went home with golden, silver and bronze horseshoes in hand, many community members also attended to simply cheer on family members and friends with signs.
“I just love crowd support. As a runner, it’s hard and sometimes the mental is just as hard to keep up with as the physical,” Weaver said. “So I’m all about cheering other people on because – at the end of the day – it’s all about pushing who you are. It’s all about being the best you can be.”
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
