Forgive us if church attendance was on the low side Sunday morning.
For many, Saturday night extended into the wee hours of Sunday in celebration of the sixth annual Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run for Your Life.
What a turnout.
About 750, more than two-thirds walkers, participated in the 12:26 a.m. walk/run.
Most participants were from Iola and neighboring cities. Seven other states were represented.
A glorious full moon aided the walkers and runners as they weaved along the course on the north side of town. Neighbors along the route gave welcome signs of support by leaving their porch lights on. Some even were camped along the curb side giving welcome words of support.
A southerly breeze helped temper the midsummer night’s heat.
THE FESTIVITIES began long before the capstone run/walk.
Food booths, inflatable amusement rides, live music on the bandstand, a parade of lights and the always popular drag race kept the downtown square hopping from early evening into the late hours. Extras were rides provided by a helicop-ter service and the Iola Fire Department’s truck letting loose fountains of water to cool off the crowds of children, because, once again, Charley Melvin festivities fell on a seasonably warm night.
Race results, found on the website ozendurance.net, show the midnight run is a big draw to younger crowds, especially for the runners.
The largest turnout was for those age 15-19, with 56 participating. Most likely, those youths participate in their schools’ sports programs.
Respectable numbers for those even younger showed up, 25 young girls and boys up to age 14 were there.
The race also proved a big draw for those no longer in school sports programs but who obviously keep exercise a priority in their lives. For those 25 to 35, a total of 57 runners participated.
As many female as male runners participated in almost every age category.
