By David Freeze
Success at Bare Bones and more!
The Salisbury Rowan Runners own four races each year and partner in a bunch of others, projected to total about 32 in 2026. This is truly a running community, just as the signs remind us at the major entrances to Salisbury. A Runner Friendly Community, nationally designated by Road Runners of America, makes my heart sing each time I see them.
One of those SRR races is the Bare Bones 5K, presented for the last several years by Cathy Griffin Century 21 Realty. Other significant sponsors include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Novant Health, Carter Law Group, the Trophy House, Ralph Baker Shoes, Cheerwine and the City of Salisbury. Bare Bones itself was often one of the lesser known of our races, and how it even came to be makes a good story. About 26 years ago, one of the area’s early races was sponsored by a large local company and they tried to cancel it the day before. At the time, races were not as common as they are now. The internet and cellphones weren’t a real factor, so it was impossible for us to notify all the runners including those already registered or those planning to attend.
The easy solution was for SRR to take over the race with an afternoon’s notice, make something of it with homemade awards and shirts from other races. And with quickly rounded up refreshments. The club at the time was very small and almost every member had something to do with getting things done.
On race day, a good crowd of runners began to arrive. They were surprised that no mention was made of the large company that had cancelled, and that the race was going to happen. We had shirts left over from other races and they got to choose one. The race awards were also left over from other races, plus the entry fee was very small. SRR announced, “We are doing this for the running community, as a thank you for supporting us!”
The practice was so cool that we kept using other races’ shirts for a few years and reworked awards too! One year that stood out to me was when awards for a late May race were giant Christmas ornaments reclaimed from our Santa Run. It was all a bunch of fun. The first races were run at Catawba using the grass on what is now the softball field and the soccer and football practice fields. Bob and Judy Zirt headed the show.
For many years, afterward, Bare Bones was headquartered at Knox Middle School, now itself in transition. Overton has had the race the last two years, and Saturday’s event was unusual with a cool 61 degrees and a misty morning in late May. SRR’s most popular runner, Wayne Crowder, and upcoming race planner, Lynn Furr, managed the event.
We had 90 runners registered, many of them graduates of SRR’s latest beginning running class. Others were competing because they hardly ever miss a local event. SRR still has great races, and at Bare Bones they got classy shirts, ice cream from Aqua 14 truck, other refreshments and nice awards afterwards, along with Dick’s Sporting Goods door prizes. They got expertly measured 5K and fun run courses and the knowledge that they were contributing to proceeds that went to Rowan County Relay for Life. About 25 volunteers, with support from the City of Salisbury and Parks and Recreation, made the race happen.
Justin Sink of Lexington was the overall winner in 17 minutes and 2 seconds. He was followed by Froilan Frutos in 18:35 for second and Zach Livengood was third in 20:24. Top women were Jessica King in 24:15, Rebecca DeMoura in 25:32 and Olivia London in 26:00. Winning the half-mile fun run was Benjamin Starrett in 4:33. Possibly the most significant performance was by my 6-year-old granddaughter Monroe “Booper” Bishop, who ran her first 5K in 38:13 for first in the 10 and under females.
Our next race is the Myles for Mission 5K and Fun Run at Grace Lutheran Church on June 13th. Look for it and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
