Gallery: Hundreds Honor Military In A Hero's 5K

Some 560 people took part Saturday morning in A Hero's 5K at Furman University. 

A Hero's 5K was founded three years ago to raise awareness of the sacrifices made each day by the United States military personnel and to raise money to support the needs of South Carolina servicemen and women and their families. A Hero’s 5K walk/run is held annually in February at Furman University.  

It grew out of friendship between Cheryl Childers and Debby Whitsitt, and the compassion Cheryl Childers had for her hurting friend, whose son, SPC. Geoffrey Whitsitt, had been killed in action in Afghanistan on Jan. 13, 2010.  

Cheryl walked with Debby in her grieving, and one of the many ways she reached out was the concept and establishment of the A Hero’s 5K.  

Greenville native, SPC Geoffrey Whitsitt, died at Combat Outpost McClain, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was only 21 years old. Geoff’s parents reside in Landrum, and his brother, Steven, serves on active duty in the United States Navy.

On Saturday, there wasn't any rain like there had been in previous years, but the weather was still a factor, as temperatures had barely even reached the freezing mark by the time the 3.2-mile race began at 9 a.m. 

The overall male was Daniel Smoak, a 24-year-old from Greenville, who ran a time of 15:38. The top overall female was Michelle Ziegler, a 31-year-old from Rock Hill. 

You can view all of the results here. 

Check out Patch.com's photo coverage of the event in our gallery.