Thomas Yahola, a 17-yearold runner from Konawa, owns the Eufaula’s annual 5k Green Run.

He won this year’s race with a time of 18:04. Last year he won it with a time of 18:15 and in 2023 he won with a time of 18:58.

Yahola didn’t win in 2022, the first year of the 5k – perhaps because he didn’t enter.

Second place in this year’s event went to Gage Karner, 17, of Shawnee at 19:06.

Baylor Bohannon, 15, grandson of Eufaula schools’ Athletic Director Johnny Bohannon, won third with a time of 20:31. That time also placed first in his age group, 13-15 years.

If Yahola owns the overall run, Checotah resident Margaret Casey, 56, owns the overall women’s division.

Her time of 25:16 was enough for first overall as well as first in the 5559 age group.

Jasmin Harris, 34, of Broken Arrow, came in second overall in the women’s division with a time of 26:46. Third was Autumn Taylor, 22, of Checotah with a time of 26:51.

Rhodora Bray, 73, Eufaula, has been first in her 70-74 female age group every year since she has entered.

This year she came in at 45:31. She didn’t compete last year because of a back operation, but in 2023 was number one with 39:38 and in 2022 she won with a time of 37:29.

Bray attributes her success and stamina to a lack of training.

“I don’t train,” she said. “I just show up and run. Why waste my energy training?”

There were several familiar faces in this year’s race.

Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges and his son Max, 8, were among the runners. As was Assistant District Attorney Sara Dupree, retired Eufaula School Superintendent Jeanette Smith and Abel Gonzales, owner of La Finca Mexican restaurant.

There were 139 timed runners, the rest were fun runners.

All of the participants were from Oklahoma, save for 53-year-old Andrew Raynor from Hampstead, N.C.

The Lake Eufaula Association has assumed management of the annual 5k Green Run, and judging by Saturday’s event the association has taken it to new heights.

The excitement surrounding this event continues to grow, the LEA stated.

According to LEA Executive Director Rhonda Adams about 250 runners turned out for Saturday’s fourth annual run, almost 100 more than last year when the 5k and fun runs started at the Xtreme RV park.

When the LEA took over the St. Patrick’s Day-themed 5k, the organization moved it to the Eufaula Cove Pavilion.

Adams and Sales and LEA Marketing Director Kelly Blurton attributed Saturday’s recordbreaking turnout to the move as well as to cooperating weather and widespread promotion.

“This location has room for more people as well as places to sit,” Adams said.

The weather was cool, which most runners appreciated.

Folks were relieved that the run was not held the previous day, when the county experienced 70-mph winds in some places that fanned grass fires and broke limbs, toppled trees and bent power poles.

“This was a sanctioned race. We have fun with it, but a lot of people are here for the points,” Adams said.

In addition to the run, there was a costume and a pet contest.

Winners were:

Costume Contest Leprechaun, Oli Lake,Country Fitness Leprechaun, Terry Upton, Lake & Bake Couple, Shelby Henley & Baylee Heflin Sonya Graham from Tulip & Table Pet Costume 1st Panda Australian Shepherd 2nd Mini Aussie 3rd Sarah Chow Chow With a mission to bring the community together in celebration of health, wellness, and a bit of St. Patrick’s Day fun, the Green Run 5K was made possible through the generous contributions of sponsors, vendors, and donors who went above and beyond to ensure its success, said the LEA.

The event was supported by numerous local businesses and organizations, whose sponsorships played a pivotal role in making the Green Run possible: · Pot of Gold Sponsors: Bee Well Family Healthcare, Lake & Bake (T-shirt Sponsor) · Shamrock Sponsors: Muscogee Creek Nation Casino – Eufaula, East Central Electric/Ecolink · Leprechaun Sponsors: Lakehouse Sushi & Hibachi Grill, Farmers State Bank, Tavern 9, Box Strong · Rainbow Sponsors: La Finca, Mama Tig’s, B&J Insurance · Lucky Charms Sponsors: Barks and Bubbles, Leap of Faith Lesa King, Montgomery Massage In addition to the sponsors, an incredible lineup of vendors added to the festive atmosphere, offering food, merchandise, and wellness services to both runners and spectators.

Participating vendors included Lake & Bake, Farmers State Bank, Ignite Health and Wellness, Lake Country Fitness, Down Low Eatz, A Little Country Charm, Paws N Claws-Eufaula, Chef Easton’s, Stitchin by Dianna, Gentiva, Too Sha’s, and Creek Nation Casino Eufaula, Caci Biggs with Bravenly Global.