James Coburn
EDMOND — All ages and sizes came to be part of the 13th annual Frigid 5 Mile Run Saturday morning at Mitch Park, sponsored by Edmond Running Club and the City of Edmond.
“This was a smashing success. It shows us that Edmond is getting healthier,” said Lissa Wohltmann, race director and Edmond Running Club member.
Six hundred and 20 runners participated in this year’s event, which was a 50 percent increase in volume from last year, Wohltmann said.
“I have a lot of friends out here every year and this is what we do, we all get together and run whether it’s cold or not,” said Troy Banks, a member of the Oklahoma City Running Club.
The music of The Village People’s song “YMCA” blasted in the background under blue skies.
“I just basically do it for my health,” Banks said.
Karen Benway, the girls cross country coach at Edmond Santa Fe High School, said she shares with her students the benefits of exercise. Some of the improvements in overall health include sleeping better, alertness, lower blood pressure and fewer chances for disease, Benway said.
“It makes you feel better about yourself,” said 11th-grader Kristi Ryder of Santa Fe. “Basically, I just want to go out and run as hard as I can, have a good time and enjoy it.”
Ryder said everybody is a winner if they “make goals for themselves and achieve those goals.”
Dale Beddome was at the race with his two sons, 10-year-old Jason and 16-year-old Nathan. The Frigid 5 brought them one step closer in preparation for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon scheduled for April 27.
“We just run together as a family,” said Beddome, who recently moved to Edmond from Houston.
Nathan Beddome said running also keeps him in shape to be part of the cross country and track teams at Edmond North High School.
Warren Wilson came to walk in the race following a recent hip replacement, he said. “I will by all means be the last person in,” he said.
Oakdale Elementary School teacher Tristy Fryer said she came to Mitch Park to run with friends as one of her second-grade students, Jaci Oplotnik, proudly said, “This is my teacher!”
Jaci’s 6-year-old brother, Jackson, said he was “just having fun” and would walk through the park. “And I want to win,” he said, before dashing off to demonstrate running a quick circle on the grass.
Jaci and Jackson’s grandfather, Charles Woodham, was nearby to support his family.
“I’m going to be an observer,” he said.
Edmond Mayor Dan O’Neil said about 50 percent of Saturday’s Frigid 5 participants live outside of Edmond.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our community,” O’Neil said. “What a wonderful way to meet Edmond — at a community race like this.”
FOR MORE information about The Edmond Running Club and the winners of the Frigid 5 Mile Run, go to www.edmondrunningclub.com.
