By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

GRAMERCY – The St. James Parish 4H club had a large turnout for its its second annual Fun Run/Walk, which took place on Thursday evening at Gramercy Recreation Park.
The run included a 5K and two mini races, a two-mile and one-mile, all to benefit the 4H program’s educational trips, awards and service projects. Participants ran their course on the park’s paved track and branched off into the streets of the surrounding neighborhood to finish. Winners with the fastest time in each age division received a medal or plaque for their hard work.
Cameron Amato, 12, and Vicki Bradford, 37, emerged as the male and female overall winners in the 5K division. Bradford finished at 26:22, and Amato finished with a brisk 22:41.
The following runners were ranked first for their age and sex divisions in the 5K: Cameron Amato and Maria Detillier, age division 9 to 12; Matthew Holland and Madisen Amato, age division 13-17; Hannah Guidry, age division 18-29; Ken LeBlanc and Vickie Bradford, age division 30-39; Ken Bradford and Deanna Albaugh, age division 40-49; and Richard Duhe and Mary Ellen Pratt, age division 50+.
The following runners were ranked first for their age and sex divisions in the two-mile run: Devin Dicket, age division 8 and under; Garret Miculek and Mallory Labauve, age division 9 to 12; Chad Lambert, age division 40-49; and Colleen Laiche, age division 50+.
The following runners were ranked first for their age and sex divisions in the one-mile run: Mason Babin, and Karli Bourgeois, age division 8 and under; Noah Oubre and Emily Bradford, age division 9 to 12; Aaron Fav, age division 13-17; Brandy Bihm, age division 30-39; Laurie Roussel, age division 40-49; and Mary Benson, age division 50+.
The 4H 5K was sponsored in part by St. James Hospital as part of a wellness challenge for youths aged 14 and under. Children who participate in at least three of the four parish races this season will be recognized at the Bonfire Festival Run and receive a special one-of-a-kind medal for their accomplishment. Qualifying events included St. Michael’s Fall Festival, the Pumpkin Patch Bridge Run and the Bonfire Festival.