A state record-setting run by Charlotte resident Bill Shires highlighted a successful inaugural Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Race 13.1 Half Marathon, 10K and 5K event in Wilmington on Sunday.
Shires was the top half marathon finisher and set a new North Carolina state record in the men’s 50-55 age group. His time of 1:18:57 surpassed the previous record of 1:20:07.
Shires’ performance highlighted the more than 600 runners who ran in the half marathon, 10K and 5K. All three races started and finished at Lumina Station and Lumina Commons, and the course featured portions of the Cross City Trail, as well as the UNCW campus.
Katherine Baker of Durham won the women’s half marathon in a time of 1:26:18.
Race 13.1 Regional Vice President Dan Mercer, who was a standout men’s basketball player at UNCW, was particularly excited about bringing the event to Wilmington and giving back to the community through the race.
“Having played basketball at UNCW, and owing so much to the school and the community, overseeing this event meant a lot to me,” said Mercer, a Raleigh native, who played two seasons for the Seahawks from 2009-10. “I am so thankful for my experience at UNCW. It gave me a new start in my life and led me to live the healthy lifestyle that I do today.
“I hope that promoting the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle, supporting local economy and charity, and delivering an event that exceeds the expectations of our participants will be a good way to give a little back to a community that gave so much to me.”
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the number of runners who participated in the event due to incorrect information provided to Port City Daily.
