Midnight Run a dark success

By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
August 10, 2003
Local runners came together to pound some pavement under a full moon on Friday night at the second annual Midnight Run.
A total of 149 runners from ages 5 to 75 partipated in the run, which was sponsored by the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department. The event, which began at 10 p.m., consisted of three separate races: a 5K run, a two-mile walk, and a one-mile fun run for children ages 12 and under.
Robin Ryder, who won the 5K with a time of 16:56, said he enjoyed this year's Midnight Run more than last year's edition.
The obvious benefit to running at night is avoiding the heat of the day, but Ryder said there are other advantages as well.
Mary Quince, the program coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department, said the biggest change in this year's event was to expand the age divisions. Each age group spanned 10 years, where as last year's divisions only spanned five years.