Chamber holds annual Gallop or Trot 5k Run

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Running enthusiasts from throughout the central Texas area gathered on Saturday morning at the Copperas Cove Civic Center to participate in the city’s annual Gallop or Trot 5k.
The chip-timed event began promptly at 8 a.m. and awards were given to the top three finishers in each age and gender bracket. A special award was presented to the overall male and female winners. 
The Gallop or Trot is part of the CenTex Race Series, with 181 runners completing the course that passed through City Park and nearby residential areas, according to the results website. 
Jennifer Flood, Finance Manager and Membership Director for the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, called the 5k a success. 
“We do it for the community. The participation has been really great,” said Flood. “I think the time of the year really helps. It’s nice and cool.”
Although many of the participants were from Killeen and Copperas Cove, several came from as far as Temple and Georgetown to participate in Saturday’s race.
Gian Mikel Pulido was the runner who crossed the finish line first on Saturday, with a time of 19:31.6, but ended up placing second overall.
Genaro Martinez Candanedo started the race late after arriving late on site and was still registering while the other racers were already on the course. Candanedo ended up with a chip time of 16:57.7 when he crossed the finish line, 32:10.7 after the main race clock began timing. 
Jason Book took 20:22.5 to complete the course and was awarded 3rd place overall, and Alfonzo Robinson took 4th place with a time of 20:45.8. 
Madisen Honea was the first-place female finisher with a time of 20:45.9.
“It was a nice course,” said Alfonzo Robinson. “It was unusual because it started going uphill, then going up more hills. It was sort of exerting...Usually you get hills, but this time as soon as you came out, you went up the hills, but the good thing is you know coming back, you’ll be going down those hills.”
Robinson said that he was impressed by how well organized the race was. He appreciated that the race started at exactly 8:00 on the dot.
Madisen Honea said that Saturday’s 5k was her first time participating in Cove’s Gallop or Trot, and she said it was enjoyable and she hopes to participate again next year. Honea was the fastest female in this year’s 5k.
“It was good. There were lots of hills, I had to keep my pace steady,” said Honea. “I like running in the morning. It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold.”
“We have great, great sponsors,” said Jennifer Flood. “Walmart was excellent.”
Walmart was one of many sponsors that made the event a success. The chamber also had volunteers from CCHS DECA and FFA, along with Raising Cane’s.