Madison native becomes 3-time winner of War Eagle Run Fest half marathon
A Madison native is now in the record books of the War Eagle Run Fest.
Josh Whitehead was the first to cross the finish line in Sunday’s annual half marathon with a time of 1:11:57. By winning, Whitehead has now won the last three half marathons in Auburn.
Whitehead had some competition though. Thomas Vo, of Fort Benning, Georgia finished second with a time of 1:12:38 and Brody Church, of Hoover, finished third with a time of 1:15:27.
In the women’s half marathon, Johanna Ehrhardt, of Mobile, emerged as the champion with a time of 1:23:27.
Hannah Dyal, of Jericho, Vermont, finished second with a time of 1:27:47, while Anneleen Swanepoel, of Auburn, finished third with a time of 1:31:47.
In addition to the half marathon, the event also featured a 5K race and the Kid’s One Mile Run.
David Layfield, of Alexander City, took home the overall top spot in the 5K with a time of 15:58, while Heath Varmette, of Huntsville, finished second with a time of 16:04 and Evan Farry, of Wilsonville, finished third with a time of 16:35.
On the women’s side, Luci Williams, of Birmingham, finished first with a time of 18:36. Juliana Wright, of Brentwood, Tennessee, finished second with a time of 20:37 and Julie Crousborn, of Birmingham, rounded out the top three with a time of 20:48.
More than 4,000 runners were on the campus of Auburn University Sunday for the annual run. Runners for each race started outside of Jordan-Hare Stadium and ended their respective races inside at the 50-yard line.
The War Eagle Run Fest supports the Run Gulf Coast Foundation as the official charity partner working to improve access to healthy living and movement.
This event put on each year by Auburn-Opelika Tourism, FRESHJUNKIE Racing, and various sponsors.
