(MURFREESBORO)  The 50 degree temps and steady drizzle did not dampen the spirits of runners at Saturday’s 13th Annual Special Kids Race that took place at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic on Garrison Drive.  CLICK HERE for race results.  At the race, Chris Truelove told WGNS... By the way, last week Chris celebrated his 24th anniversary as executive director of Special Kids.  

The annual event raises funds for the Special Kids Therapy and Nursing Center, which offers essential therapies for local children with special needs. There were four different races: 15K, 10K, 5K, and a 1-mile fun run or walk.

5K Race - Harrison Hamby of Murfreesboro was the first to cross the finish line. His time was 18:04, and his age is 16. The first female across was Macy Simon of Rockvale with a time of 22.:41, and her age is 17.

10K Race - The first to cross the 10K line was 45-year-old Jason Long of Readyville with a time of 00:36:50. 41-year-old Lindsay Cox of Smyrna was the first female. Her time was 00:45:44.

15K Race - 27-year old Andrew Chirico of Hendersonville was the first to cross the 15K line with a time of 00:54:33. Shelby Anderson, age 29 of Murfreesboro, was the first female across the 15K line with a time of 01:08:47.

The run course is relatively flat and travels through history. In fact, much of the event is in the Stones River National Battlefield. The Union squeaked out a victory in a bloody conflict there in a three-day period starting Dec. 31, 1862 and ending Jan. 2, 1863. Of the major battles in the Civil War, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides.

Race officials reported that due to the overwhelming support for the event, registrations exceeded their expectations and there were not enough “race shirts”.

The coordinator indicated, “If you do not need a shirt immediately, let the person know when you pick-up your packet. They are ordering additional shirts, and you will be notified when they arrive.”  

What is Special Kids? - In 1998, Dick Kleineau and his daughter Carrie felt the Lord leading them to start an organization that would provide outstanding occupational, physical, speech, and recreational therapies along with skilled nursing care to these precious children regardless of their family's ability to pay.

Special Kids Therapy & Nursing Center is located at 2132 E. Main Street. For more information, visit their website: https://www.specialkidstn.com/ or phone them at (615) 809-2632.