Saturday (10/13/2012) proved to be a perfect day for the Sixth Annual Middle Half Marathon. Shortly after the sun rose with temps around 70, the pistol fired and the wheelchair race began at 6:55. Then at 7:00AM twenty-five hundred runner ran the 13.2-mile course through historic Murfreesboro. 

This was an unusual year for the Murfreesboro Half Marathon. WGNS News spoke with founder and coordinator Melinda Tate who explained why the sixth race was so unique . . .

Wheelchair Race

Matthew Porterfield (right photo) from Knoxville was the first wheelchair that crossed the finish line. Almost 9-minutes later at 8:07:11.5, Michael Mills of Covington, Georgia arrived. 

The prize sponsor for this segment was the National Wheelcats.

Runners

Justus Davis of Murfreesboro, number 2517, came across the finish line at 8:12:02.77, he was shadowed by another runner. It was great timing, but it did not beat the prevous course record of 1:05:43.

First Female

Amanda Dunne was the first female to cross the finish line. This Murfreesboro resident clocked-in at 08:23:56.71. She too ran well, but did not break the course record for women at 1:17:12. 

Middle Tennessee Medical Center was the presenting sponsor, along with the City of Murfreesboro, Parks and Recreation, Jim N Nicks Barbecue, Fleet Feet Sports, Purity Dairies, Worx Group, and Newk's Express Cafe. 

Murph's Fun Run

Nancy Phillips and her TV superstar Murph the Bunny had their popular Fun Run. Hundreds of youngsters ran the 1-mile that ended in the Dean Hayes Track and Field Stadium on the MTSU campus. And when you're as famous as Murph, everyone is out to be seen with you. 

Of course, the kids listened to Murph's instructions to do stretch exercises before the Fun Run began. The perfect weather continued through the morning.