The Louise Mandrell Theater generally showcases musical talents. However, once a year it is devoted to using shoe strings rather than guitar strings. Mandrell fired the starting shot of the 7th Annual Smoky Mountain 5 K Run for Boy Scouts, held Saturday, July 24 at the Louise Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for over 600 runners from across the country.
The USATF certified race is held each year by Louise Mandrell as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America. World-class runners, amateur joggers and children lined up to try their chance at beating the course record of 14:09. Some just wanted to cross the finish line!
Louise Mandrell personally presented over $10,000 in prize money to the winners with overall male and female winners each receiving $750. Prize money was awarded to the top three finishers in each age group ranging from 10-90 years old.
Eric Chirchir from Chapel Hill, NC cruised in at 14:25 to win the $750 Male Overall Division first place prize. Jared Segera, three-time defending champion, ran a time of 14:42, capturing the second place prize of $375. Third Place went to Thomas Morgan with a time of 14:43, missing second place by a hair.
Mary Jane Harrelson, a two-time NCAA Champion and a 5th Place 2004 Olympic Trial athlete, ran a first place time of 17:00 flat earning a $750 prize. Collette Chepchirchir was on her heels and crossed the finish line at 17:22, placing her second. Tessa Jones arrived at the line at 18:05, taking home the $200 third-place prize.
Male and Female Masters Division offered first, second and third place prizes of $750, $375 and $300 with those prizes being awarded to Andrew Masai with a time of 15:00, Eric Putnam at 15:57 and Mikel Wagner coming in at 16:54. Janice Addison crossed the line at 18:25 with Maria Spinnler on her heels at 18:39. Susan Rogers followed third with her time of 19:04.
Louise Mandrell has been instrumental in raising over $1 million dollars for Boy Scouts over the years. “My goal is to raise money and public awareness of scouting,” Mandrell said. “The reason scouting means so much to me is because it teaches kids about God, country and themselves.” This year, over $30,000 was raised for the Boy Scouts of East Tennessee. And when she learned that the Boy Scouts were in need of a lawn tractor to maintain their camp property, Louise called on her good friends at New Holland and secured a donation of an $8,500 tractor. Gene Hemphill, President of New Holland was on hand to present the tractor to the Boy Scouts.
The event is driven by volunteer efforts of over 100 friends and employees of the Mandrell Theater who are dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to the community. Their long hours of hard work soon paid off, as the start line became a sea of nylon running shorts and a wave of race numbers.
Truly a party atmosphere could be seen and heard as you drove down the parkway near the theater in Pigeon Forge. One could not help but see the gigantic red and white striped tent that dominated the theater parking lot. The tent housed a pre-run breakfast bar of fresh fruit and snacks provided by Food City. After the race ended, Buddy’s Bar B Q served a delicious luncheon for runners while they sipped ice water and cold Pepsi and enjoyed music provided by the Louise Mandrell band.
Over 300 door prizes and silent auction items, including artists’ prints, vacation packages, tickets and a variety of gift items, were donated by generous local businesses. Mandrell even contributed autographed items that were auctioned off for the charity.
“The run is well known as a family event,” said Sande Weiss General Manager and Race Director. “Many families plan their annual vacation around this run. This is a wholesome fun event that everyone can enjoy,” she continued. “Even an 87 year old grandmother raced with her family. The best part is that she beat them all back to the finish line and was waiting to cheer them on,” laughed Weiss.
The 100-yard dash was rewarding in itself for the kids who were encouraged by Big Dog, and the Tennessee Smokies characters, Diamond and Slugger. All the Kids Scuttle runners received ribbons, a shirt and prizes that included New Holland toy tractors, Dixie Stampede coloring books, race passes to NASCAR Speed Park and a variety of items donated by local businesses. A family fun area from A & A Party Rental included a giant inflatable playhouse for the kids, and for mom and dad-a back massage by Ratcliff Chiropractic.
Next years race is scheduled for July 23, 2005. For more information on the Run or Louise Mandrell Theater, please contact Sande Weiss at 865-453-3534 or visit www.louisemandrell.com. Race results can be found at www.ktc.org.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

The Louise Mandrell Theater generally showcases musical talents. However, once a year it is devoted to using shoe strings rather than guitar strings. Mandrell fired the starting shot of the 7th Annual Smoky Mountain 5 K Run for Boy Scouts, held Saturday, July 24 at the Louise Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for over 600 runners from across the country.
The USATF certified race is held each year by Louise Mandrell as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America. World-class runners, amateur joggers and children lined up to try their chance at beating the course record of 14:09. Some just wanted to cross the finish line!
Louise Mandrell personally presented over $10,000 in prize money to the winners with overall male and female winners each receiving $750. Prize money was awarded to the top three finishers in each age group ranging from 10-90 years old.
Eric Chirchir from Chapel Hill, NC cruised in at 14:25 to win the $750 Male Overall Division first place prize. Jared Segera, three-time defending champion, ran a time of 14:42, capturing the second place prize of $375. Third Place went to Thomas Morgan with a time of 14:43, missing second place by a hair.
Mary Jane Harrelson, a two-time NCAA Champion and a 5th Place 2004 Olympic Trial athlete, ran a first place time of 17:00 flat earning a $750 prize. Collette Chepchirchir was on her heels and crossed the finish line at 17:22, placing her second. Tessa Jones arrived at the line at 18:05, taking home the $200 third-place prize.
Male and Female Masters Division offered first, second and third place prizes of $750, $375 and $300 with those prizes being awarded to Andrew Masai with a time of 15:00, Eric Putnam at 15:57 and Mikel Wagner coming in at 16:54. Janice Addison crossed the line at 18:25 with Maria Spinnler on her heels at 18:39. Susan Rogers followed third with her time of 19:04.
Louise Mandrell has been instrumental in raising over $1 million dollars for Boy Scouts over the years. “My goal is to raise money and public awareness of scouting,” Mandrell said. “The reason scouting means so much to me is because it teaches kids about God, country and themselves.” This year, over $30,000 was raised for the Boy Scouts of East Tennessee. And when she learned that the Boy Scouts were in need of a lawn tractor to maintain their camp property, Louise called on her good friends at New Holland and secured a donation of an $8,500 tractor. Gene Hemphill, President of New Holland was on hand to present the tractor to the Boy Scouts.
The event is driven by volunteer efforts of over 100 friends and employees of the Mandrell Theater who are dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to the community. Their long hours of hard work soon paid off, as the start line became a sea of nylon running shorts and a wave of race numbers.
Truly a party atmosphere could be seen and heard as you drove down the parkway near the theater in Pigeon Forge. One could not help but see the gigantic red and white striped tent that dominated the theater parking lot. The tent housed a pre-run breakfast bar of fresh fruit and snacks provided by Food City. After the race ended, Buddy’s Bar B Q served a delicious luncheon for runners while they sipped ice water and cold Pepsi and enjoyed music provided by the Louise Mandrell band.
Over 300 door prizes and silent auction items, including artists’ prints, vacation packages, tickets and a variety of gift items, were donated by generous local businesses. Mandrell even contributed autographed items that were auctioned off for the charity.
“The run is well known as a family event,” said Sande Weiss General Manager and Race Director. “Many families plan their annual vacation around this run. This is a wholesome fun event that everyone can enjoy,” she continued. “Even an 87 year old grandmother raced with her family. The best part is that she beat them all back to the finish line and was waiting to cheer them on,” laughed Weiss.
The 100-yard dash was rewarding in itself for the kids who were encouraged by Big Dog, and the Tennessee Smokies characters, Diamond and Slugger. All the Kids Scuttle runners received ribbons, a shirt and prizes that included New Holland toy tractors, Dixie Stampede coloring books, race passes to NASCAR Speed Park and a variety of items donated by local businesses. A family fun area from A & A Party Rental included a giant inflatable playhouse for the kids, and for mom and dad-a back massage by Ratcliff Chiropractic.
Next years race is scheduled for July 23, 2005. For more information on the Run or Louise Mandrell Theater, please contact Sande Weiss at 865-453-3534 or visit www.louisemandrell.com. Race results can be found at www.ktc.org.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

The Louise Mandrell Theater generally showcases musical talents. However, once a year it is devoted to using shoe strings rather than guitar strings. Mandrell fired the starting shot of the 7th Annual Smoky Mountain 5 K Run for Boy Scouts, held Saturday, July 24 at the Louise Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for over 600 runners from across the country.
The USATF certified race is held each year by Louise Mandrell as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America. World-class runners, amateur joggers and children lined up to try their chance at beating the course record of 14:09. Some just wanted to cross the finish line!
Louise Mandrell personally presented over $10,000 in prize money to the winners with overall male and female winners each receiving $750. Prize money was awarded to the top three finishers in each age group ranging from 10-90 years old.
Eric Chirchir from Chapel Hill, NC cruised in at 14:25 to win the $750 Male Overall Division first place prize. Jared Segera, three-time defending champion, ran a time of 14:42, capturing the second place prize of $375. Third Place went to Thomas Morgan with a time of 14:43, missing second place by a hair.
Mary Jane Harrelson, a two-time NCAA Champion and a 5th Place 2004 Olympic Trial athlete, ran a first place time of 17:00 flat earning a $750 prize. Collette Chepchirchir was on her heels and crossed the finish line at 17:22, placing her second. Tessa Jones arrived at the line at 18:05, taking home the $200 third-place prize.
Male and Female Masters Division offered first, second and third place prizes of $750, $375 and $300 with those prizes being awarded to Andrew Masai with a time of 15:00, Eric Putnam at 15:57 and Mikel Wagner coming in at 16:54. Janice Addison crossed the line at 18:25 with Maria Spinnler on her heels at 18:39. Susan Rogers followed third with her time of 19:04.
Louise Mandrell has been instrumental in raising over $1 million dollars for Boy Scouts over the years. “My goal is to raise money and public awareness of scouting,” Mandrell said. “The reason scouting means so much to me is because it teaches kids about God, country and themselves.” This year, over $30,000 was raised for the Boy Scouts of East Tennessee. And when she learned that the Boy Scouts were in need of a lawn tractor to maintain their camp property, Louise called on her good friends at New Holland and secured a donation of an $8,500 tractor. Gene Hemphill, President of New Holland was on hand to present the tractor to the Boy Scouts.
The event is driven by volunteer efforts of over 100 friends and employees of the Mandrell Theater who are dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to the community. Their long hours of hard work soon paid off, as the start line became a sea of nylon running shorts and a wave of race numbers.
Truly a party atmosphere could be seen and heard as you drove down the parkway near the theater in Pigeon Forge. One could not help but see the gigantic red and white striped tent that dominated the theater parking lot. The tent housed a pre-run breakfast bar of fresh fruit and snacks provided by Food City. After the race ended, Buddy’s Bar B Q served a delicious luncheon for runners while they sipped ice water and cold Pepsi and enjoyed music provided by the Louise Mandrell band.
Over 300 door prizes and silent auction items, including artists’ prints, vacation packages, tickets and a variety of gift items, were donated by generous local businesses. Mandrell even contributed autographed items that were auctioned off for the charity.
“The run is well known as a family event,” said Sande Weiss General Manager and Race Director. “Many families plan their annual vacation around this run. This is a wholesome fun event that everyone can enjoy,” she continued. “Even an 87 year old grandmother raced with her family. The best part is that she beat them all back to the finish line and was waiting to cheer them on,” laughed Weiss.
The 100-yard dash was rewarding in itself for the kids who were encouraged by Big Dog, and the Tennessee Smokies characters, Diamond and Slugger. All the Kids Scuttle runners received ribbons, a shirt and prizes that included New Holland toy tractors, Dixie Stampede coloring books, race passes to NASCAR Speed Park and a variety of items donated by local businesses. A family fun area from A & A Party Rental included a giant inflatable playhouse for the kids, and for mom and dad-a back massage by Ratcliff Chiropractic.
Next years race is scheduled for July 23, 2005. For more information on the Run or Louise Mandrell Theater, please contact Sande Weiss at 865-453-3534 or visit www.louisemandrell.com. Race results can be found at www.ktc.org.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.