The Milton Mile: The Church has left the Building

Bipeds and bicyclists of all ages and body types ran in flights at the fourth annual Milton Mile May 29 to benefit the Milton Wesleyan Church Youth Group. And there were blow-up games and a petting zoo for the kids, and an upgrade from boiled dogs to pulled pork.

“A great annual event. It's a blend of people who run once a year to the crew of regulars," said Race Director Tim Bamforth. "It is all the good things about small town and just meeting really nice people.”

The feature open race of 42 runners was won by Dylan Smiley of Phoenixville High School of Pennsylvania in a time of 4:52.

Smiley was followed to the finish by masters runner David Cabrera in 5:42 and Bobby Hughes in 5:44.

“My goal was to break six minutes at the Milton Mile, so I wildly exceeded my expectations," said Hughes, who nurses baby red foxes and racoons back to the wild in his spare time.

Other runners to break 7 minutes included Craig Richardson, 16, 6:21; Hunter Tyndall, 13, 6:25; Joey Kwit, 41, 6:27; Lindsey Guida, 13, 6:29; Ferguson Evan, 16, 6:31; Zoe Callard, 13, 6:35; Chris Lovenguth, 54, 6:42; Lainey Shockro, 9, 6:44; and David Chappell, 24, 6:57.

The first race began with a prayer by Pastor Tim Wilson sporting his T-shirt saying “The Church has left the Building” that allowed bikes, strollers, skateboards, an electric wheelchair and never-in-a-hurry slow walkers.

Kenna Justice, 9 years old, wearing a purple helmet and riding a bike, demolished the field in five minutes flat.

The event ended with Zumba dancing in the parking lot.