Although the rain resulted in the small turn out of 48 runners at the Atoms 5K, the rain did not demoralize senior Tyler Mendez who was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 17:52.

This was Mendez’s first year participating in the Atoms 5K. He is also a member of the Atoms track team and since the end of his season, he has trained an entire week in preparation for the race.

“I was out of breath and our coach usually would train us with workouts,” Mendez said. “I had a feeling I’d come in first place and I’m just happy.”

Less than a minute later, the second-place runner-up, Mark Naylor, crossed the finish line with 18 minutes and 28 seconds. Followed by third place winner junior Jason Mercado with 21 minutes and 33 seconds.

“The rain sort of got in the way because it blurred my vision,” Mercado said. “But overall, it went pretty well even though I lost my momentum towards the end. I enjoyed running around the neighborhood rather than running laps around a track field.”

The race proved to be another successful year for Annandale Atoms Athletic Booster Club’s annual 5K run/walk.

Each year the Atoms Booster Club holds the 5K fundraiser to provide four $1000 scholarship for graduating athletic seniors.

The four seniors awarded the scholarship are chosen based on their leadership and athletic skills on the field, as well as their strong academic performance off the field.

Fellow students, staff, volunteers and local residents, gathered around the jock lobby on a frigid, rainy morning to run and walk a course around the neighborhood. Runners lined up at the start on Four Year Run road, alongside the track field.

The rain drizzled gently on the energetic runners. Children and toddlers stood at the very front and once they heard the word “go,” the children started.

Runners went their own pace as they followed orange cones and volunteers with orange flags that indicated the runners where the course was.

As runners returned to AHS, they were wet from the sweat and rain.

Although there were no spectators waiting for the final runners at the finish line, volunteers and spectators cheered from the jock lobby.

“Although this was my first time participating, it was a great experience and I’ll do it again next year,” Mercado said.