Walter Collins, 84, was the very last participant to cross the finish line last Saturday in the Seymour Rotary 5K run. But that is of little concern to the Harriman native who estimates that he has ran in close to 650 similar races.
“This is the fourth time that I’ve ran this one and I plan to keep coming back for as long as I can,” said Collins following last week’s race.
“I did my first race in 78’ and it was the Wears Valley 15K. When they said 15K, I thought it was just the name of the race, but it turned out to mean the distance of the race. It was over nine miles but I finished. I don’t think that there is any big secret except staying with it.”
Collins will turn 85 in December.
Bill Woodrick, 67, has been running for 20 years and found out about the race through the Knoxville Track Club. The retired UT professor once lost 50-pounds by running and said that this wasn’t the first time that he has competed in the Seymour Rotary 5K.
“I like this course because you don’t have to cover the same area twice,” said Woodrick. That was due in part to Sevier County Road Superintendent Jonas Smelcer. The single lane behind the Seymour Middle School had been turned to tow lanes and paved during the summer. Walter Grubb (King’s Academy Head Master) took advantage of the changes when he incorporated the road in the back.”
Besides the race, which helped raise money for the local Rotary, the Kings Academy held a pancake breakfast. It was a successful day for all. Thanks in part to the race’s sponsors which included: The Seymour Herald, King’s Academy, Hofker Automotive, Round Up Truck Sales, Cinergy Communications, Home Federal Bank, Tennessee State Bank, Correct Tax, Karaoke Café, Two J’s Pizza, Seymour Flooring Gallery, Allied Insurers, Larry H. Garner Construction, Smoky Mountain Animal Clinic, 411 Raceway, Sevier City Utility, All Star Embroidery, Seymour RV Sales and Service, Seymour Family Physicians, PTS, Joslin Eye Center, Mountain National Bank, Network Technologies, Sevier County Bank, Fannon Real Estate Services, Seymour High School and Mr. Bob E. Que.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.