Running for Will
Top male runner
Terrence Nofire earned first place among males in the second annual Will Rogers 5K Run. The 12-year-old Stillwell youth finished the course through the Rogers State University in 18:21 minutes. Jaimie Clark (right) is a run coordinator.
Top female runner
Tammy West of Tahlequah was the winner of the female division of the Will Rogers 5K run, finishing in 21:18 minutes. Jaimie Clark (right) is a run coordinator.
Will Rogers Run runners
Runners await announcement of winners in the Will Rogers 5K Run. There was also a 1K Run.
It is called the Will Rogers Memorial Race. Runners in the 5K race set the pace on the campus of Rogers State University and meandered through the RSU Nature Preserve.
The top male winner in the second annual Will Rogers Run was Terrance Nofire, a 12-year-old Stillwell youth, at 18:21 minutes. The top female winner was Tammy West of Tahlequah, who came in at 21:18 minutes.
Sponsored by Cherokee National Wings program, it was also open to non-members. Proceeds from those who paid registration fees (free to Wings members) added about $1,000 to Will Rogers Heritage coffers.
The race drew Cherokee Nation Chief Chad Smith, one of the celebrity runners in the coming Tulsa Run. He ran the race in 27:14 minutes. Cherokee Councilwoman Cara Cowan, also a member of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission, ran the 5K in 32:07 minutes.
Andy Hogan, who is the Memorial’s historic tour director and Will Rogers’ interpreter and an avid runner in the Wings program, was first place in his age category (70-74), coming in at 24.23 minutes.
The 5K drew 176 entries. There was also a 1K Fun Run, which drew 41 entries.
Wings began at Cherokee Nation in 1996 and is sponsored by the Healthy Nation Program. The goal of Wings is to promote and support a healthier lifestyle through physical activity, healthy eating and health education. Whether you are a beginner or already physically active, this program is documented and recorded each week. Wings is incentive based, with great rewards earned when reaching goals through a point system. There is no membership fee. Wings is open to all and you may sign up at any time during the year.
For more information on Wings, visit the website at Cherokee Nation Wings.