Third annual Jockey Jog raises over $12,000

Megaphone in hand and bundled up in a colorful knit hat, Charity Bennett thanked 96 runners who braved 30-degree weather on Saturday to participate in the third annual Jockey Jog.

The race, a fundraiser organized by the Garland County Chapter of Circle of Friends to benefit Arkansas Children's Hospital, attained and exceeded organizers' goal of $12,000. Bennett, the race director, said she was pleased with Saturday's turnout.

This year's event was held in memory of Andrea LaPaglia Hamby, a member of the Circle of Friends who died last year.

"She will be forever remembered for her faith, love, strength and compassion. She was an amazing example of pure generosity and grace to us all, " Bennett said to the crowd of runners.

DeAnne Richard, a member of Circle of Friends for more than 10 years, knew Hamby personally and said she was incredibly kind.

"She was a very integral part of the Circle of Friends community," Richard said.

Richard said if Hamby could have been present today, she would be most proud of her husband, who finished the race Saturday. "That would give her great joy," Richard said.

She emphasized the importance of the event, as it helps current patients and children at the hospital.

"This race will help prolong the lives of people that have conditions like Andrea's," she said.

The race began at Transportation Depot, and the course extended down the Hot Springs Creek Greenway trail before looping back around to the depot.

The overall male winner was Noah Eskew, of Jessieville, selected as one of the inaugural Cross Country Runners of the Year in December by The Sentinel-Record.

Eskew, who has been running for more than five years, finished the jog in 17 minutes and 29 seconds. The overall female winner, Brandie Holt, finished in 23 minutes and 14 seconds.

"I'll suffer through the cold, because I'm here to run," Eskew said.

The funds raised from the event will continue to support the Little Rock hospital's educational outreach programs, as well as its new sister campus currently under development in northwest Arkansas.