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TOP JOBS

By PHIL HICKS
Sports Editor

Sisters Barbara Robinson of Tyler and Neda Charlton of Overton, appearing splendid in pink, walked arm-in-arm down College Avenue’s brick street toward the finish line.

With screams of encouragement, the two ladies made it across after the 5K race.

The two were diagnosed some six years ago and about two months apart with breast cancer. Since that time they have battled the dreaded disease.

The sisters, along with thousands of others, participated in the 10th annual Susan G. Komen Tyler Race for the Cure Saturday at Bergfeld Park.

“It means the world to have the support of family and friends and all the people here,” Mrs. Robinson.

There were 38 family members and friends — The Dynamic Davis’ — who walked in support of Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Charlton.

“This means the world to me,” said Mrs. Charlton, whose cancer has reoccurred. “It helps you keep a positive attitude. It helps to have the prayers and the people standing behind you.”

Mrs. Charlton said she had doubts about finishing the walk this year.

“The encouragement and support of everyone, plus God helped me,” she said. “I have another treatment on Monday, but right now I feel fine.”

Mrs. Robinson, who participated in the Komen Run even before she was diagnosed with the disease, added, “It’s very important to get checked each year.”

Winning the Survivors Race this year was Christina Gaston of Emory. She clocked in at 29 minutes and 37 seconds. Placing second was Sheree Bayless of DeSoto (37:03.3).

“I’m excited … I got second last year,” Mrs. Gaston said. “This is the second time I’ve run in Tyler and I’ve run four or five times in Dallas.

“This race gives awareness to breast cancer. I was 28 when I was diagnosed. It just shows you it can happen at any age.”

She is a nine-year survivor.

Mrs. Bayless said the Tyler race is her favorite. She has run in Dallas, Wichita Falls and Waco. Plus, she has relatives in Tyler, including Lauren Shoemaker, whose Aunt Gay Shoemaker is a survivor.

“This race and others made me realize that I’m not alone in this,” she said. “I feel fortunate because I found out early.”

She added with Komen races all over, it makes more people aware of the disease.

Connie Greenberg, who was co-chair with Kristin Goodman, said there were more than 5,500 runners entered.

Both said the event keeps getting bigger and bigger.

“It was awesome, awesome, awesome,” Mrs. Greenberg said. “It was bigger than ever this year. We ran out of T-shirts and tags.”

They thanked the sponsors, volunteers and race committee.

The runners were greeted with cool temperatures, but it was very humid.

Warren Brown, a junior at The University of Texas at Tyler, won the race in a time of 15:58.

Brown won the race in 2006, but missed last year’s event when he was in California. Last year, Patriot teammate R.J. Cowan won and this year Cowan finished second at 16:30.3.

The race is important to him as he is involved in the American Cancer Society as well. He was the co-chair for the ASC Relay for Life in April and will be the chairman his senior year.

Leonardo Tovar of Henderson was third at 16:35.9.

In the women’s race, Angela Connor of Tyler won in a time of 19:45.6. Lori Green was second at 21:00.6.

Jennifer Menard, of Tyler, 16, collapsed near the finish line, but still finished third in a heroic effort. Race officials said she was dehydrated and appeared to be fine as she was taken by ETMC paramedics to the hospital.

Menard, who runs track for Robert E. Lee High School, ran to a time of 21:00.9. She won the age 15-19 division.

Before the 5K, many participated in the mile run/walk. The top finishes were Chris Brown, 23, Tyler; Darian Smallwood, 13, Tyler; and McCray Fletcher, 10, Tyler.

Notes:

More than 2,800 runners were on teams this year with ETMC leading the way. Trinity Mother Frances was second, while Brookshire’s Grocery Co. was third … Mrs. Greenberg said the 2009 race is scheduled for the Saturday (May 9) before Mother’s Day. … She added the fund-raising is not over — there is still the “Power of 10.” The race committee invites East Texans to join them in participating in this effort to ask 10 people to donate $10 to benefit Komen projects. Anyone who raises $100 has their name placed in a drawing for prizes. And whoever raises the most money receives airline tickets. For more information, call 903-561-6992. Deadline is the end of May. ... Nelson Clyde IV, publisher of the Tyler Morning Telegraph, served as race emcee, while Mike Hines of Trinity Mother Frances Health Systems served as race announcer. … Representatives of Re/Max gave out pink roses at the finish line to survivors. … Race results were gathered by RunFar of Austin (www.run-far.com).

Race Sponsors

Local Presenting Sponsor —The Tyler Morning Telegraph, TylerPaper.com

Diamond —

Greenberg Smoked Turkey

Gold —

Robert and Nancy Patterson

Silver —

Designer Graphics, Trinity Mother Health Systems, The Rogers Foundation, Tyler Hematology Oncology

Bronze —

Janie’s Cakes, Hilliard Box Insurance, The Watson W. Wise Foundation, Gilbert’s El Charro, ETMC, E.L.S. Surveying & Mapping Inc., Craig E. Harrison, M.D., F.A.C.S., Trane American Standard, Blood and Cancer Center of East Texas, Tyler Obstetrics & Gynecology, Texas Spine & Joint Hospital, East Texas Food Bank, Swann’s Furniture Gallery, Sword Company, Tyler Cardiovascular Consultants, Citizens 1st Bank, Texas Oncology Tyler Cancer Center,

Media —

KLTV, Mix 93.1, KETK, American Classifieds, Tyler Today, BSCENE Magazine, CBS 19 and Fox-51.

Marathon Sponsors —

Urology Tyler PA, Jan & Brian Hancock, Sleep Masters, Pathology Associates of Tyler, Tomi & Jim Ellis, Starbucks, Southside Bank, Tyler Radiology Associates, Tyler Beverages, Capital One Bank, Capstone Healthcare Staffing, UT Health Science Center at Tyler, ADAGIO Dermatology & Aesthetics, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Tyler Board of Directors in Honor of Peggy Suggs

Jogger Sponsors —

2008 Race Committee, Trinity Endocrinology, Meg Reitmeyer, MD, Stiefel, Lyles & Allen, Higgins Elementary School-Whitehouse ISD, Hubbard Middle School Students, Cathy Shipp & Associates Realty, Peggy & John Suggs, A Woman’s Touch, Ellen & Roger Peirce, Rosemary & Chip Jones, Kristin & Griffin Goodman, Connie & Sam Greenberg, Emerald Bay Bosom Buddies, City of Tyler, UPS, Re/Max Tyler, Broadway Square Mall, Brookshire’s Rice Road