“The Child Advocacy Center is grateful for Cannon County’s support of child abuse victims. Thanks to our wonderful community, this is the biggest run we’ve ever hosted,” said Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Hammond. “The Child Advocacy Center wants to thank all of the sponsors and runners for supporting the event. Our youngest runner was 6 years old and our oldest was 77; it was incredible to have so many generations show up and support our children.”
The 5K was held at the Arts Center of Cannon County. The Honorable Judge Matthew Cowan and Amanda Hammond presented the Hometown Heroes Awards. The first award was presented to Amanda Hammond for her career of serving child abuse victims at Department of Children’s Services and the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center. Bonnie Patterson was honored for her over 40 years of dedicated service to Cannon County children. The third honoree, Christine O’Day, was recognized for her outstanding work in Youth Services. Keith Ready, Cannon Courier News and Sports Content Creator, was the master of ceremonies.
Child Advocacy Center Development Coordinator Karista Colwell expressed sincere gratitude to the event sponsors. This year’s Title Sponsor was Smyrna Ready Mix. The Gold sponsors were Farm Credit Mid America and Fagan & Melton, an Association of Attorneys. The Silver sponsors were Cowan and Cowan Law Firm, LLP and Proactive Kinetics. Bronze sponsors were DTC, Farm Bureau Insurance: Kevin Rigsby; Woodbury Drug Center, Valley View Veterinary Services of TN PLLC. Friends of the CAC included Arlene Knaak: Arlene’s Clay Studio; Beth Hall; Boyd and Gayle Barker; and Gentry Smith Funeral Home.
Colwell thanked CASA, Cannon County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and Blake Finney from Shelter Insurance and Proactive Kinetics for providing granola bars, bananas, and bottled water for the runners. She expressed appreciation to the Arts Center of Cannon County for graciously donating the venue!
County Executive and local pastor Greg Mitchell led a prayer for the runner’s safety and all runners headed to the starting line. Promptly at 8:00 a.m., Colwell fired the air horn, and the runners were off.
At the conclusion of the race, Keith Ready announced the winners:
- Overall Male winners: Matthew Phillips (first place), Isaiah Shelton (second place), Bentley Colgate (third place)
- Overall Female winners: Jada Buckingham (first place), Briana Pitt (second place), and Coraline Pitt (third place)
- Male 9 and under: Ezra Pitt (first place), Beau Colgate (second place), and Drake Williams (third place)
- Female 9 and under: Jacelyn Toy (first place), Leah Robertson (second place), and Leah Roaten (third place)
- Males 10 to 14: Fischer Williams (first place), Luke Stembridge (second place), Beckham Pitt (third place)
- Female 10 to 14: Jayden Toy (first place), Pepper Jennings (second place), Leia Toler (third place)
- Males 15 to 19: Seven Layne (first place), Eli Hawkins (second place), Jason Barrett (third place)
- Female 15 to 19: Kiley Jo Byrom (first place), Evelyn Jordan (second place)
- Female 25 to 29: Emily Thompson (first place), Kalashya Colwell (second place), Hannah Reed (third place)
- Female 30-34: Erin Toy (first place), Beth Grace (second place), Alaina Juneau (third place)
- Male 35-39: Christopher Carter (first place), Alan Burger (second place)
- Female 35-39: Samantha Elrod (first place), Renee Robertson (second place), Brittney Blaylock (third place)
- Male 40-44: Dave Walker (first place)
- Female 40-44: Carolyn Jennings (first place)
- Male 45-49: Matt Wilber (first place)
- Female 45-49: Beth Saddler (first place), Jenn Walker (second place), Alison Wilber (third place)
- Male 50-54: Mark Faiola (first place), Matt Bush (second place)
- Female 50-54: Sandy Moor (first place), Carla Bush (second place)
- Male 55-59: Trent Offill (first place)
- Female 55-59: Anita Ray (first place), Suzanne Wakefield (second place), Margaret Parker (third place)
- Male 60+: Kenneth Bell (first place), Mark Phillips (second place)
- Female 60+: Kim Fann (first place), Frankie Cashion (second place), Susan Melton (third place)
Plans are already underway for the 2026 Cannon Runs for Children. If you are interested in serving on the planning committee, contact Karista Colwell at 615-867-9000 or kcolwell@cacrutherford.org or Amanda Hammond at 615-563-9915 or ahammond@cannoncac.org