In previous years, the July 4 race was an eight-kilometer (five mile) race. But this year, the distance was shortened to five kilometers (3.1 miles), and the course was changed. Runners started at the BakerSmith Corners Shopping Center in northern Valdosta and ran down Patterson Street, past South Georgia Medical Center and Valdosta State. The finish line was located downtown, between Central and Hill Avenues.

“The race was well-run. The 5K distance was different from the 8K. It was a good, quick, fun race,” McGough said. “We train up and down Patterson, so I was pretty familiar with the course. It was a great day to run, and a great way to start (Independence Day).”

Smoot was pleased with how things went in the race, and indicated that he planned on continuing the Valdosta 5K every Fourth of July.

“I was thrilled,” Smoot said. “I was very proud of the presentation, and the outpouring of support from the community. I was enthusiastic at the number of first-time entrants in the race. We had a seven percent increase from last year, and every person that started the race finished the race. I saw happy people, a lot of satisfied individuals. A number of people sought out me and my staff to tell us that they enjoyed the race.”

The run included entrants from Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama and even Texas.

For the first time, $50 cash prizes were given out to the overall female winner, the masters division male and female winners, and the top male and female military personnel. Due to NCAA rules, McGough could not accept the money, because he is an amateur who runs for a college team. The top 20 male and female finishers also received prizes.

On Independence Day, race organizers made sure that the men and women of the U.S. military got their due. Runners who were active military personnel wore numbers in the 400s, female veterans wore numbers in the 500s and male veterans wore numbers in the 600s. Both the active military and the veterans were given a loud ovation before the race.

The local chapter of the Knights of Columbus presented the colors before the run, and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Valdosta’s choir sang the national anthem.