Noon Exchange holds 4th annual Mayfest 5k

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Noon Exchange Club held one of its largest fundraisers of the year on Saturday, the 4th annual Mayfest 5K Color Run, to raise funds for child abuse prevention. 
The 5k color run had 66 participants cross the finish line on Saturday morning after covering the 3.1-mile course that took runners and walkers through the nearby neighborhood and down the long hill of Ogletree Pass. 
Along the way, stations manned by volunteers doused the runners and walkers in brightly-colored powder. 
In past years, the event has raised more than $20,000 which comes from sponsors and purchases of raffle tickets. 
In addition to the 5K color run/walk, the day also featured several food trucks on site, as well as the Net Impact Club from Central Texas College. Also on hand was a DJ and a free photo both for participants. 
New for this year was chip-timing for the event, with awards being presented to the overall male and female winners, as well as the top finishers in the age groups. 
Matthew Garrett, 26, of College Station, was the overall fastest finisher and the fastest male, with a time of 24:58.8. Taylor Elliott, 27, was the third finisher overall and the fastest female, with a time of 27:58.7. 
In addition to Copperas Cove, runners came from Midlothian, Round Rock, Houston, College Station, and Kempner. 
Mayor Frank Seffrood, 79, participated in the run as he has since the inaugural event. 
“I participate in this every year, because it’s good for our community,” Seffrood said. “There are often the same individuals who show up and volunteer, and I hope that others will come out and join them.”
Members of the Roamin’ Chariots Car Club were on hand, with approximately a dozen vehicles being shown off by their owners. 
Among them was Andy Cloud, who showed off his 1958 Chevrolet Delray, a rare glass-sided sedan delivery vehicle. 
“It’s not a station wagon,” Cloud was quick to point out, as did the sign affixed to the vehicle. 
Mayfest was put on by the Noon Exchange Club members, along with support from the Copperas Cove High School EXCEL Club and the Noon Exchange Club’s HUTS Club, made up of local homeschool students.
Also at Mayfest, an array of prizes was raffled, to include a 55-inch Smart TV, with the club selling tickets for $10 each prior to the event. 
A lineup of local businesses, clubs, and individuals sponsored the event on Saturday, providing prizes and/or funds, to include Clear Creek Meadows Apartments, Awards Gallery, the Copperas Cove Leader-Press, Active Construction, Gold Star Real Estate, Brand Financial Services, Copperas Cove Crusaders, Dennis and Susan Ayres, the Texas Faisons, the Blount family, Angela Fields, Julius Hunter, Melissa Rosa, the Optimist Club of Copperas Cove, Cali Signs, Home Place Flooring, Refresh Spa, and San Saba Pest Control. 
The Noon Exchange Club will present the funds it raises to local organizations like Hope Pregnancy Center, Communities in Schools, the Coryell County Rainbow Room, Families in Crisis, and Aware Central Texas.