03/18/2024
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Photos by Leyton Ezzell

By Cara Beth Lewis 

On Saturday, the third annual Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Run took place in Whiteville in memory of fallen Trooper Kevin Conner, who tragically lost his life during a traffic stop on October 17th, 2018. Each year, members of the community come together for the memorial run to honor his life and his dedication to serving and protecting. This year, approximately 400 runners participated.

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The race began and ended in front of First Citizens Bank on West Columbus Street in Whiteville, with the course taking both 5K and One-Mile participants through the downtown area.
The Memorial Run was sponsored by many local businesses. Proceeds from the event go into a scholarship fund in memory of Trooper Kevin Conner. The scholarship is available to students in Columbus and Bladen County. In 2021, the scholarship was awarded to Nicholas Norris of Bladen County and Anna Nance of Columbus County.

The Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Run was Anna Gore’s idea.  She never even met Kevin or his family, but felt touched by his passing since she has two kids about the same age as Kevin’s children.  According to Emily Dowless, friend of Kevin, “She wanted to do something to honor his memory and thought an annual 5K would be perfect.  She contacted Miranda and the Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Foundation was formed.”  The Foundation Board consists of Miranda Conner Ellington, Anna Gore, Richard Capps, and Emily Dowless.

Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Run Winners

Team Champions: 

  1. Down East Pest Control

Top Three Overall Males: 

  1. Glenn McNeill, 20:02.9

  2. Branden Wachter, 20:32.8

  3. Julian L. Carrano Shepard, 20:51.2

Top Three Overall Females:

  1. Lisa Armstrong, 26:24.1

  2. Kristy Varner, 26:51.1

  3. Aurora N. Carrano Shepard, 20:51.2

Top Three Males, Age 60-69

  1. Anonymous Participant, 25:03.3

  2. Harry Lewis, 26:45.6

  3. Kemp Crumpler, 30:30.5

 

Top Three Females, Age 60-69

  1. Kay Inman, 36:27.3

  2. Callie Dunn, 47:33.6

  3. Debra King, 47:35.1

 

Top Three Males, Age 50-59 

  1. Jeffrey Nash, 25:55.6

  2. Steve Shea, 27:07.9

  3. Rick Lachance, 28:56.5

 

Top Three Females, Age 50-59 

  1. Michelle Morton, 32:23.9

  2. Debbie Watts, 32:26.7

  3. Theresa McNeill, 36:44.7

 

Top Three Males, Age 40-49: 

  1. Cedric Grant, 22:38.8

  2. Joseph Cotton, 24:50.4

  3. Thomas Knight, 24:53.9

Top Three Females, Age 40-49 

  1. Angela Gurganus, 30:46.4

  2. Christy Berg, 30:46.7

  3. Joheliah Wilson, 32:16.3

 

Top Three Males, Age 30-39: 

  1. Ash Daughtry, 22:05.5

  2. Bradley Bullard, 22:54.0

  3. Neal Simmons, 23:00.8

 

Top Three Females, Age 30-39

  1. Christen Windham, 30:24.4

  2. Jordan Carter, 30:44.1

  3. Kirsti Armstrong, 31:04.8

 

Top Three Males, Age 20-29: 

  1. Corey Joe, 22:21.0

  2. Chris McIntosh, 23:22.5

 

Top Three Females, Age 20-29

  1. Daliana Castrejon, 30:22.7

  2. Kelsey Stanley, 31:07.3

  3. Brooke Pittman, 31:29.8

 

Top Three Males, Age 15-19

  1. Teddy Knight, 22:11.3

  2. Conner Padrick, 23:19.3

  3. Andrew Pait Jr., 23:46.0

Top Three Females, Age 15-19

  1. Anna Whitehead, 30:24.4

 

Top Three Males, Age 10-14: 

  1. Aiden Russ, 23:08.6

  2. W. Gore, 27:10.2

  3. Luke Pait, 27:40.3

Top Three Females Age 10-14

  1. T. Dowless, 34:46.1

  2. Briley Conner, 42:55.4

  3. T. Dowless, 48:18.4

Top Three Males, Age 9 and under 

  1. A. Thomas, 26:12.3

  2. A. Porter, 33:24.1

  3. B. Ransom 37:48.7

 

Top Three Females, Age 9 and under 

  1. L. Porter, 33:34.8

  2. R. Dowless, 48:18.9

  3. K. Thomas, 50:57.5

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