Despite heat, thousands hit pavement for Macon Labor Day Road Race

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – While many people spent this Labor Day relaxing and hanging out at the Lake, thousands of runners hit the pavement this morning to run in the 38th annual Macon Labor Day 5K and 10k.

Despite the heat, runners still hit the pavement early Monday morning making sure they do their absolute best in this year’s Labor Day Road Race.

Especially 9-year-old Paris Colgan.

“I got second place in my age group,” she said.

The running phenom finished the 5K with her grown up peers in a little more than 27 minutes.

The sweltering temperatures hit the pack early.

“It was a pretty tough run, you know it was hot today. At the end of the day we decided that we needed to hunker down and wrap it up,” Brad Berg, a 10k participant, said.

Even then, most runners managed to finish the race with a smile.

Volunteers with the Macon Tracks Running Club, who sponsored the event, made sure everyone was hydrated in the heat.

Despite the sun, participants gave it their all. 

“I think I got around a 47 today,” Berg said.

“Yeah, but I’ve done a couple before,” Colgan said.

“It’s a stepping stone we’re going to incorporate into our preparation,” David Patch, a 10 K participant, said.

Paris says she’s a natural.

The elementary school student says she isn’t a hardcore runner, but she enjoys having fun.

She says she might even run in another 5k soon.

“I think I might do the September 6th one, but I don’t know,” she said.

To view race results click here.