Seventh annual Will Robinson run is Nov. 16

By Payton Towns III - The Union-Recorder

For the seventh year, people from Baldwin County and other areas in Georgia will come together to run and remember a deputy killed in the line of duty in 1995.

The seventh annual Deputy Will Robinson Memorial Run will be held Nov. 16 at the North Baldwin County Fire Department on Airport Road. Registration before Nov. 13 is $15. Race day registration is $17. There will be a $10 per person discount for groups of 10 or more.

Lauren Deen of the Milledgeville Junior Woman’s Club, Detective James McCue of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and Christine Giles of the Milledgeville Junior Woman’s Club are the co-organizers of the race.

Deen said participants could walk the race. “All walkers are welcomed,” she said.

The 5K (3.2 miles) race begins at 8:30 a.m. It starts at Lakeport Road goes to Lakeview Road to Newport Road and back to Lakeport. A one-mile fun run starts at 8 a.m. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Will Robinson Scholarship Fund, Baldwin County D.A.R.E. Program and foster care.

Will Robinson was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 17, 1995, after stopping a robbery suspect. Robinson was 26.

For the first time this year, the design on the back of the race shirt, which is given to each participant and donator, is the design chosen from a student contest at John Milledge Academy.

“This is the first time that we’ve ever done this,” Deen said. “We started it on a small scale and next year we’ll open it up. We’re hoping to do all of the fifth grade DARE students in Baldwin County next year.”

Jennifer Cope, art teacher and member of the Milledgeville Junior Woman’s Club, said the students were excited about the competition. The winner of the shirt design was chosen by a representative from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Milledgeville Junior Woman’s Club.

In the end, Cole Breiner’s design of an American flag with the words “Police Men are Heroes,” won. Breiner also will be recognized at the race.

Awards will be given out to the top three male and female runners in several age categories: 10 and under, 11 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59 and 60 and over. There also will be awards given to the overall public safety winner and male and female winner from Baldwin County. There will be a school spirit trophy given to the school with the most participants.

Deen said Georgia Military College had an early lead with more than 163 students scheduled to participate thanks to physical education teacher Stacie Goggans. Goggans has participated in the past with the run when she was at Davis Elementary.

“It could be a challenge to all of the other schools,” Deen said.

“The race will go on unless it’s lightning,” Deen said. “The last few years it’s been cool but that’s what the runners seem to like. It’ll probably be cool if anything. God’s always been looking after us.”

Organizers expect many of Robinson’s family members, friends and co-workers to come out to the event.

“Will touched lots of people in his time here,” Deen said. “He was special to them. It’s a good feeling.”

Applications for the race can be picked up at the BCSO.

“People can come out, participate and enjoy in the fun,” Deen said. “It’s a community event.”

Sponsors for this year’s event include Arcilla Mining & Land Company, G&S Gas Service, Craig-Massee Real Estate, Fowler-Flemister Concrete Inc., BB&T, Wilkinson Used Cars, Chambers Oil Co., Century Bank & Trust, First National Bank of the South, Adams, Jordan & Treadwell, PC, Childre Chrysler Dodge Jeep Nissan Inc., Exchange Bank, Moores Funeral Home, Milledgeville Jaycees, Magnolia State Bank, The Union-Recorder, WMGZ-Z-97, Domino’s Pizza, Martin’s IGA, Horton Homes, Inc., BECCO, Sports Emporium, Pepsi, The Baldwin Bulletin, WMVG-102.3 and Chick-fil-A.

“We really appreciate our sponsors who have been a great support to us since the race began,” Deen said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”

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