Runners Revel

The Berry Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k races recently brought 1,900 runners and walkers to the campus and provided a life changing experience for some who participated.

Berry College’s scenic and sprawling campus welcomed the competitors to mentally and physically challenge themselves in the annual Berry Half Marathon Feb. 18. While most of the registered runners were from the greater Atlanta area, others hailed from South Carolina, Ohio, and California. Berry’s breathtaking landscape delivered an ideal running experience for a race of this magnitude.

Katherine Kratina, a sophomore from DeLand, Fla., raced in the half marathon.

“It changed my life, I feel like a new person. I have a new outlook on life and more respect for marathon runners,” she said. “It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be and I actually enjoyed running through the whole thing. I will definitely do it again,” she said.

Ally Byrd, a senior from Louisville, Ky., raced in her second Berry Half Marathon and took first place in her age division, averaging a 7:46 pace per mile.  Byrd is also a member of the Berry Vikings soccer team.

“The Berry Half Marathon provided me with a goal to work towards outside of soccer…it took a great amount of both physical and mental strength,” Byrd said.

Proceeds from the Berry Half Marathon benefit the Berry College Elementary and Middle School. Organizers also partnered with the non-profit organization Medals4Mettle which awards medals to children and adults who are fighting debilitating illnesses.  And runners donated shoes to Soles4Souls which provides more than 16 million shoes to underprivileged individuals around the world.

For more information and results of the Berry Half Marathon, please visit: http://www.berry.edu/academics/education/elementary/berryhalfmarathon.asp