Saturday morning, April 29 was a little overcast and cool in Harrisburg, NC, a perfect day for a run. Hundreds of runners, family and friends showed up at the new Harrisburg Park on Sims Parkway that morning for the town’s 16th Annual Run the Burg 5K.

More than 300 people raced in the 5K on a 3.1-mile course in and around the park. Many others participated in the 1-mile fun run afterward.

Harrisburg YMCA, Harrisburg Parks & Recreation and the Southwest Cabarrus Rotary Club partnered with other local sponsors, including Galvan Industries, to present the event, with the goal of promoting recreation and local businesses in Harrisburg.

Galvan added to the festivities as a Silver Sponsor. Galvan provided branded sunglasses for the race, and these were provided in the race bags stuffed by the YMCA staff. Kristi Wilson and Kristin Zandrowicz of Galvan’s Human Resources Department also worked at a table with gifts for the runners, including Galvan coozies, t-shirts, pens and water bottles along with some additional sunglasses for people not running in the event.

The 5K race started at 8 a.m. Eli Witte of Harrisburg crossed the finish line 17 minutes and 36 seconds later to claim first place. Wesley Fritsche, National Sales Manager for Galvan Electrical and Galvan’s National Sales Manager for Galvanizing Services, Ben Kelly, and his 11-year-old son, Nathan, also participated in the run.

Having only two runners represented from the Galvan team, Ben issued a challenge to the Galvan employees to “bring on the future Galvan participation in the Run the Burg event,” he said. “We would really like to increase our overall participation in this event, all while promoting a great opportunity to prepare for a 5K, and exercise with the community. Being active and getting to know the members of our community is always important. The employees of Galvan are here to sponsor, support, and assist with our community. We are looking forward to the continued and growing support next year.”

Galvan has been a member of the Harrisburg area business community for more than 60 years. The company is committed to being a good corporate neighbor, building working relationships with the town and local non-profit groups to strengthen the community.

For more information, contact Kristi Wilson at Galvan Industries, 704-455-5102 or email kwilson@galvan-ize.com.