By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
The winner of Saturday’s D.W. McMillan 5K was no surprise — some participants and organizers who know of Rebecca Jordan’s record as a four-time marathon winner pegged her as the victor as soon as she showed up to race.
After her 20:27 win, Jordan said she was glad to see more than 100 people show up for the run, which benefited Relay For Life, the annual American Cancer Society fundraiser.
Jordan, a W.S. Neal Elementary School teacher and the W.S. Neal High School track coach, has been running since high school and ran on scholarship at Samford University. In October, Jordan was chosen for the Brooks I.D. Bluestreak racing team, which sponsors her at races and helps provide running gear. The I.D. — “Inspire Daily” — program has more than 2,000 members nationwide chosen for their ability to accomplish running goals and encourage others to do the same. The Bluestreak team is the I.D. program’s highest tier.
In addition to her work as track coach at W.S. Neal, Jordan has also initiated a girls summer running camp at the Brewton Area YMCA.
She said she hopes events like Saturday’s race will inspire more residents to hit the pavement.
Other winners in Saturday’s race included:
Organizer Jenny Gray said the hospital’s Relay for Life team hopes to continue the race next year.
Sponsors included Otts, Moore, Coale, Godwin and Stearns; First Exchange Bank; Brewton Mill Federal Credit Union; Dr. Robert DeFrancisco; Jim Peach Motors; Jus Do; Jernigan Nordmeyer Tire; Brewton Bridge Bunch; Timberline Homes; Webb’s Auto Sales; F&S Environmental; Escambia County Medical Society; and Brewton OB/GYN.