LCS: Graford Jackrabbit annual run, cook-off announces results

The Graford 34th annual Jackrabbit 5K run and 7th annual Jackrabbit BBQ Cook-off and vendor event was held Saturday, Sept. 21, with the goal of raising funds for Graford and Possum Kingdom Lake 4-H and FFA.

“4-H alumni around the country are always the first to acknowledge the significant positive impact that 4-H had on them as young people,” a press release reads. “In fact, research has shown that young people in 4-H are nearly four times as likely to contribute to their communities and are twice as likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs during after school time.”

At the national level, the 4-H program is 112-year-old and has more than 550,000 members from different backgrounds ranging from the ages of 8 to 19-years-old and has over 22,000 volunteers.

Nearly 130 runners crossed the finish line for 5K race.

The top three men finishers for the race were Ethan Altum, of Graford, with a time of 21:18.4; Christian Shea, of Graford, with a time of 21:31.9 and Adrian Benavides, of Mineral Wells, with a time of 21:34.8.

The top three women finishers for the race were Khloe Morris, of Graham, with a time 21:49.9; Mattie Strand, of Desdemona, with a time of 21:55.4 and Kaylee Bezio, of Weatherford, with a time of 23:22.6

The barbecue cook-off had 66 entries from over 10 teams.

The FTSI Cook Team of Eddie Nowak, Randy Ramsey and Kay Nowak were named best of show in the barbecue cook-off. Michael Dunn, of Oran, won best beans; Lisa Henderson, of Graford won best chili; Kay Nowak, of Graford, won best dutch oven desert; Laurel McCracken, of Graford, won best porkbutt; Tyler Green, of Graford, won best brisket; Jon Altum, of Graford, won best ribs and Tyler Groves won best chicken.

The day concluded with a community dinner and a performance from Jimmy Fincher.

For the rest of the story, see the Wednesday, Oct. 2 edition of The Graham Leader.