The annual 5-Kilometer Race was held on Saturday, July 18 to begin the Homespun Festival activities.

A total of 128 racers took part in this year’s race, with 45 already pre-registered Saturday morning. There is no age limit or skill differential for the run and it cost only $25 per runner to enter.

All proceeds are going to the host of the race, Crossview Community Church, in hopes of raising enough money to build their church.

This race proved a good chance for a local Rockmart High School Cross Country star runner to show what his practice has earned him. RHS senior Brock Shanks was the winner of this year’s annual race and also earned the best overall male award. His time was 16 minutes and 16 seconds, putting him more than a minute faster than second place.

Shanks has been interested in cross country running since he first joined the team in ninth grade and has steadliy improved since.

Although Shanks came with hopes of victory, he said he wasn’t expecting to win and just took the race as it came. His training this year for high school cross country has been his toughest ever, adding more mileage and trying to cut back on his times.

After the race, Shanks added, “I’ve still got a couple more miles to run today just to finish training."

Second-place finisher Eric Cole finished with a time of 17 minutes and 23 seconds. Right on his heels was third-place finisher Bill Moore, with a time of 17 minutes and 26 seconds.

The award for best overall female went to Robin Luke.

The founder of this race, Kenny Duncan, held the first 5K event 40 years ago. Since then, it has drawn more and more to run each year. He ran the Peachtree Road Race more than 40 years ago and that’s what inspired him to found this annual event. After completing the Atlanta event, he said to himself, “What now?”

He came up with the idea of a local race that would give people a chance to compete each year.

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The 128 racers prepare for Saturday's 5-K Race on the Silver Comet Trail in downtown Rockmart.

RHS Senior Brock Shanks sprints down the home stretch to win Saturday's 5-K Race.

The top three finishers leave the race area. They were, from left, Eri Cole, second place; Brock Shanks, first place; and Bill Moore, third place.