Published: October 31, 2009 08:41 pm      

Ferrer, Davies are first in first JA 5K

Some 100 hearty runners braved a Saturday morning rain to make the first 5K For JA (Junior Achievenent) race in Dalton a success.

Overall champion Manuel Ferrer continued his tremendous running with a fourth consecutive win over the past month. Earlier victories came in Eton, Calhoun and Chatsworth.

Ferrer, 38, covered the 3.1 miles in 17 minutes and 27 seconds. Runners started and finished at City Park School.

“It’s not getting old,” the smiling 5-foot-3-inch, 140-pound dynamo said. “It’s something beautiful to win.”

Kay-Lynne Davies, 34, topped the females in 25:30.

“It’s my first overall win,” an elated Davis said. “I’m really more of a longer distance person such as half-marathons.”

Overall masters’ awards (40-older) went to Andy Meyer, 18:03; and Ansley Fowler, 27:35. All four primary recipients are Whitfield County residents.

Age group winners:

• Male: 15-19 — Issac Pacheco, 18:06; 20-29 — Gilberto Fraire, 18:11; 30-39 — Jason Denson, 20:44; 50-59 — Terry Hampton 21:32; 60-older — Bob Lemmings, 31:20.

• Female: 0-14 — Shelby Cribb, 26:48; 15-19 — Paris Merritt 48:38; 20-29 — Wearner Jones, 27:32; 30-39 — Nana Lua, 26:37; 40-49 — Rosie Martinez, 28:12; 50-59 — Janice Wycherly, 29:09.

About 10 people participated in a 1-mile run. Carpet Capital Running Club coordinated the event sponsored by Junior Achievement.