A three-and-a-half mile race through the tree streets led to 316 running shoes stampeding through the rain. The early rainy winds did not deter runners from coming out Saturday morning for the fifth annual “Take Back the Night 5k race.”
In rain gear and running shoes, 158 runners gathered to race for the safety of women and children.
The race was sponsored by the ETSU Campus of Advocates Against Sexual Violence. Participants arrived at 7:30 a.m. for registration donating $15 the day of the race and $12 for pre-registers. All the proceeds go to programs that support survivors of sexual violence, including the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners at Johnson City Medical Center.
Runners gathered in front of Nicks Hall under a white tent anticipating the long run. Among the runners, was Sam Culbertson, an ETSU graduate and geometry teacher at Science Hill High School. “This will be my one thousandth race,” Culbertson said. “My best time was a 19:49, but it will probably take me about 25 or 30 minutes to run today.” Culbertson runs about six times a week and his run usually starts his day at 3:30 a.m. “It is better to run in the morning. If I wait I don’t have time to fit it in.”
Samantha Ramsey, Culbertson’s daughter, came out to support her father. “I use to run with him when I was a little girl,” Ramsey said. Now Ramsey has a little girl, Kaley, who might have some “fast” shoes to fill.
Guiding the racers were 30 Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity men acting as flag post for the racers. “We have different volunteers every year,” Harriet Masters, director of the Women’s Resource Center, said.
Masters helped run the registration booth signing up runners and giving out shirts.
State of Franklin Track Club had several members show up for the run. “This is my first time running in Take Back the Night,” Mark Smelser, member of the track club, said. “I try to hit every race on the circuit. This is a good cause to come out and support.”
Nicks Hall wall packed with runners eating their complementary bagels, bananas and oatmeal cookies while trying to stay warm and dry.
“I’m getting food and water for all the registered racers,” Corrie Martin, sophomore, said. “I am volunteering instead of running.”
“The rain doesn’t bother me,” Allison Bryant, senior radiology major, said. “I am running for the Sigma Kappa team and in memory of Johnia Berry.” Some racers were out just to see if they could make it.
“I have not been in a competitive race since high school,” Brandon Fyffe, senior at ETSU. “I use to run cross country and I have not raced since.” Anxious racers stretched in the hallways while they waited for the 8:30 start. “This is my fist time running,” said Kate Swany, junior in advertising. “Our team, Kappa Delta usually has the biggest team in the race. We normally have close to 30 girls.”
The front of Gilbreath Hall was the starting line. Nearly 200 participants gathered to either wish the runners good luck, or just out in the lead. Culbertson gave a short speech before Rob Schobory, race liaison, said, “GO.”
Bushore-Maki estimates based on previous races, that the race raised at least $3,000.
“We had 215 people register to run,” Bushore-Maki said. “The race has grown every year.

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