WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — On your mark, get set, go!
Over 1,100 people are going the distance and going for speed at the Cantrell Center's 15th Annual 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run!
The center says its goal is to fight obesity and to train and support people on their health and wellness journey.
For this 5K in Warner Robins, people ran or walked, and the support still followed.
Walter Milton and his wife Helen say they come to the Cantrell Center at least three times a week to exercise.
They have been walking the 5K for the past 15 years and says it's nice to see the different walks of life.
"You got to move in order to keep moving," Milton said. "If you want to do it, you got to be in it to win it. I don't want to win, but I think I'm winning just being here."
For Macon resident Melinda Bush, this is her first 5K.
Bush got in a bad car accident in 2016, leaving her with a broken pelvis and three compression fractures.
Her lack of mobility caused her to gain weight, and she was faced with reality after her doctors said to lose the weight or she'd lose her life.
So she decided to make a change. Now, she's taking the steps to achieving her goals.
"This was a major goal for me and this is my very first one that I've ever done so I'm very excited," Bush said. "I started getting focused on getting my 10,000 steps and when I started getting my 10,000 steps, I was starting to achieve the 5k level of the three miles and then sometimes I was going above."
Bush ended up losing over 180 pounds.
Now, she says she's gotten her confidence up and she's living her life to the fullest.
"I want to empower and encourage others," Bush said. "I feel like that is my calling is to encourage and lift up others to realize that they can achieve their goals. That if I can do it from compression fractures, broken bones, osteoarthritis in both my knees, anybody can do it."
Proceeds from the 5K and 1-mile benefit Atrium Health Navicent's Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital.
Next year's 5K will be on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Save the date!