Mark Brannen, center, of Millen was the overall male winner in the Super Eagle Day 5K race. (Photo contributed) Mark Brannen, 14, of Millen and Catherine Hall, 9, of Guyton were the overall winners in the Super Eagle Day 5K on March 13.

Mark, a local student at Jenkins County Middle School, covered the 3.1 mile course in 18:41 and kept the overall male 5K winner’s trophy in Millen for the first time in the seven year history of the event. Nine year Guyton native Catherine Hall outlasted a determined Erin Burton to win the female division of the 5K in a time of 23:44. Hall was just 31 seconds from tying the certified course record set by Andrea Pittman in 2008.

In the men’s race, three time race winner Clint Watkins of Madison jumped out to an early lead but was passed by Mark Brannen a little past the 1-mile mark. Both competitors passed the 1-mile mark in around 5½ minutes.

After the race, Watkins told race director Jimmy Brannen that he pressed Mark along the new Jenkins County gymnatorium area of the course, but Mark managed to stay ahead. Watkins also said he made a final push to pass Mark along the final .4 mile stretch of Harvey Street, but Mark was able to hold him off to finish a very close three seconds ahead of Watkins for the win.

Clay Wilson of Waynesboro, Cameron Sutcliff of Statesboro and Burt Carter, also of Statesboro rounded out the top five respectively.

First place age group awards in the 5K went to: Zac Becton, Clay Wilson, Cameron Sutcliff, Boyd Sasser, Burt Carter, Jimmy Brannen, Clint Watkins, Ed Sutcliff, Toby Davis, Al Massey and Rick Umpleby. Female first place age group winners in the 5K were: Laura Garner, Robin Boone, Brookes Brinson, Kimberly Wilson, Erin Burton, Kristy Wallace, Beth Lane and Catherine Massey.

Second place age group awards in the 5K went to: Kolton Lee, Brad Amerson, Coley Clifton, Shaun Sikes, Lamar Hall, Thomas Smith, Bill Reynolds and Tim Goodman.

Female second place age group winners in the 5K were Erika Van Buren and Penny Tanner. Third place age group awards in the 5K went to: Jason Sutcliff, Aaron Burton and Ronnie Lamb and female third place age group award in the 5K went to Christa Garner.

In the 1 Mile Fun Run, Brad Amerson was the male overall winner. Brad’s time was 6:16. In the female division, Katelyn Carter won with a time of 8:04, holding off Shelby Burke who finished just 30 seconds behind her.

First place age group winners in the 1 mile were: Brandon Fu, Carson James, Nicholas Bragg, Caleb Lindsey, Wesley Finch, Remmy Gomez, Coley Clifton, Tony Fu, Bart Gainey and Jim Jarvis. First Place female age group winners in the 1 mile were: Berlien Fu, Sara Brooke Thompson, Alyssa Brannen, Shelby Burke, Joanie Williams, Bessie Collins, Beth Lane and Donna Boone.

Second place age group winners in the 1 mile were: Bryce Cranshaw, Zan Becton, Elijah Waters, Colton Wilkerson, Charles Waters and Bob Boone. Second place female age group winners in the 1 mile were: Chassity Wilkerson, Christine Fu, and Jancey Brinson.

Third place age group winners in the 1 mile were: Bowden James, Arion Waters and Bobby James. Third place female age group winners in the 1 mile were: Katelyn Miller, Denise Waters and Jimmie Faye White.

The race would not have been possible without the help and support of the community and following sponsors: Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center, Queensborough Bank, Jr’s BP, Inc., Dr Kyle Gay, Southeast Construction, Clearing, Grading, and Steel

Building, Inc., R & M Auto Service, Eagle Pharmacy, Royal Plumbing & Electric, Rocker Supply, Inc., Adrian Homes, Panda Express Chinese & Japanese Cuisine, Rounds Pizza, Seafood, & More, Dairy Queen of Millen, Jalapenos Mexican Grill and Stich N Print.

The Millen Milers and More local running club was a tremendous asset by handling the timing and scoring and hosting the event. Race course volunteers provided water, directions and moral support to the competitors. Volunteers along the race course and at the finish line were Joyce Hodges-Hite, Jim Hite, Rob Sharkey, Pat Miller, Ray Miller, Joe Sasser, Joey McBride, Matt Brinson, Michelle Brannen, Alyssa Brannen, Cindy Rich, Becca Rich, Cierra Joyner, Aaron Tanner, Bobby James and Jimmy Brannen.

Finish line refreshments were provided by BI-LO of Millen and the Augusta Coca Cola Bottling Company.

Complete results and photos from Super Eagle Day can be found at www.millenmilers.com/ eagleday.html.