Looks like this race is a winner
The Lilly of the Valley half-marathon attracted a whopping 164 runners last weekend, triple what organizers expected for the inaugural race.
The top female runner, Jennifer Bell, 37, of Brasstown (shown here) finished the 13.1-mile course along the Tuckasegee River with a time of 1:35:57. The first place male winner was Robert Martinez, 17, of Clayton, with a time of 1:24:31. The male winner in the masters category (40 and older) was Bradley Knops, 43, of Highlands, with a time of 1:33:30. The female winner in the masters category was Julie Richards, 44, of Bryson City, with a time of 1:37:51.
The race raised more than $7,000 for professional development opportunities for WCU students. Full results at halfmarathon.wcu.edu.