Chamber Chase 5K: Hundreds of runners make the trek, new winner in men's category after three years

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce had quite the turnout at the annual Chamber Chase 5K and 2 Mile Wellness Walk Thursday at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville.

"We had over 1,000 people registered for the Chamber Chase,"  Kit Dunlap, the President and CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, said. "But counting the family and friends who came today, there are more people here than registered." 

The Corporate Run began on Riverside Dr. at the grounds of Riverside Military Academy. The course made two loops before ending at the practice field. The main course was three miles, but participants could choose to walk the chase at a distance of two miles.

At 17 minutes 56 seconds, 18-year-old Josh Schunk of Flowery Branch barreled through the finish line as the first runner to finish the chase. Following closely behind was 33-year-old Juan Soto of Gainesville at 17 minutes 59 seconds. Soto placed first at the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Chamber Chase. 

The following teams and individuals won awards this year:

Fastest CEO:  David Bailey, Anesthesia Associates

Fastest Overall Male: Josh Schunk, SKF USA Inc.

Fastest Overall Female:  Michelle McKenzie with Runners Fit

T-Shirt Design Contest:

                Most Creative Shirt:  Cottrell

                Best Incorporation of Event Log:  Gainesville Eye Associates

                Most Creative Use of Company Logo:  Mansfield Oil 

                People’s Choice Award:  Longstreet Clinic

Individual winners (top 3 in each age category):

                Female 1-18

• 1^st – Ami Silva (individual registrant)
• 2^nd – Virginia Paris (individual registrant)
• 3^rd – Sarah Bowling with Indigo Energy

Male 1-18

• 1^st – Andrew Surles with Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club
• 2^nd – Edward Surles with Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club
• 3^rd – Nathaniel Boyd with Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club

Female 19-29

• 1^st – Patrice Sweet with ProCare RX
• 2^nd – Stephanie Waldrip with ProCare RX
• 3^rd – Lee Gedney with Anesthesia Associates of Gainesville

Male 19-29

• 1^st – Logan McAllister (individual registrant)
• 2^nd – Hieu Nguyen with J. Geyer Advertising
• 3^rd – Scott Channell with O Sleeper MFG Co.

Female 30-39

• 1^st – Amanda Norton with The Norton Agency
• 2^nd – Megan Martin with North Georgia Community Foundation
• 3^rd – Hannah Coleman with Smith, Gilliam, Williams & Miles

Male 30-39

• 1^st – Juan Soto with Runners Fit
• 2^nd – Zach Wall with Mansfield Oil
• 3^rd – Cody Robinson with Mansfield Oil

Female 40-49

• 1^st – Kara Scroggs with Runners Fit
• 2^nd - Cherry Jenkins with Runners Fit
• 3^rd – Stacy Bubelis with Runners Fit

And they're off! The 5k began at Riverside Academy.

Forrest Gump makes his way through the finish line

Some runners found their biggest fans waiting for them at the finish line. The little girl pictured was cheering on her father.

Businesses came repping personalized t-shirts for their teams.

Who doesn't love a dog-friendly event? Quite a few four-legged friends were spotted Thursday.

Runners refueled with food after the run. Papa Johns was just one sponsor of the 5k.

The 5k was fun for the whole family! We call this "break time from some serious dance moves."

Chamber Chase sponsors.

Runners were recognized at 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for the quickest times according to their age. Along with the medals, winners were given gift certificates.

Greater Hall Chamber's Elizabeth (Jacobs) Higgins presented the awards for the best overall runners. Pictured is David Bailey with Anesthesia Associates of Gainesville, named fastest CEO.

Greater Hall Chamber's Elizabeth (Jacobs) Higgins presented the awards for the best overall runners. Pictured is Michelle McKenzie, named fastest female runner.

Greater Hall Chamber's Elizabeth (Jacobs) Higgins presented the awards for the best overall runners. Pictured is Josh Schunk, named fastest male runner. Schunk was the first to finish the 5k this year.

Josh Schunk, the first to finish the Chamber Chase 5k. 3-time winner Juan Soto can be seen not far behind.

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