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This Saturday morning, at the bang of a nail gun, over 80 runners, bikers, walkers and dogs took to Oriental’s streets for the 7th Annual Lucky Charms Challenge.

Race Organizer John LaGuardia shields his ears in anticipation of the race start. Instead of the traditional starter’s pistol, a nail gun was used.

They’re off! The kids show the grownups the way onto the course.

Starting at Village Health and Fitness, the race course followed US Highway 55 out of town, across Smith Creek then wound back through the village. Proceeds raised went to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

A family event, some family members ran together. Jenny Boudreault, pushing her son Ayden in stroller, leaves the Oriental city limits bound for the course’s highest point, the Oriental bridge.

Other families let the younger family members take the lead. Jimmy Smith said “I’m just trying to catch my kids”.

Finish line bound: James Pelsang, eventual 5k winner, bounding down the bridge for home.

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The Lucky Charms Challenge relied on over a dozen volunteers to keep runners organized, fed and safe. Here, race volunteers Sherry Meador, Sabrina Holton and Peg Erschen man the booth. Their jobs included signing in runners, keeping track of race times and recording finish order.

10 volunteers from the Pamlico Amateur Radio Society kept an eye on runners’ safety while they were on course. Net Controller Bob Webster and Tom Wiggins man their mobile headquarters.

Volunteer Gary Blodgett (hidden) shows a participant the way.

Watching them come home: Eric Pittman, Robin Carburry, Linda Hoff and dachshund Bandit watch the runners step across the finish line.

Proud mom Linda Hoff watches daughter Samantha take a well earned post race drink.

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The way it should be done: 10k race winner Louis Pelsang charges across the line.

“You can do it!” Coy Lynch cheers Jared Smith across the finish line.

Zack Bruno celebrates with a finish line wheelie.

Breakdown: some racers barely made it across the finish line. Moments after finishing, the chain fell of Ben Bruno’s bike.

Guide dogs; While billed a race for humans, in some cases, it was the dogs that towed their masters home.

2010 Lucky Charms Challenge Results:

5k Children
1. Mitch Meador
2. Tie: Tristan Stewart, Robbie LaGuardia
3. Dana McLaughlin

5k Men
1. James Pelsang
2. Alan Horton
3. Justin Lee

5k Women
1. Jenny Boudreault

10k Men
1. Louis Pelsang
2. Paul Delamar
3. Robbie Pedersen

Posted Sunday March 14, 2010 by Bernie Harberts