The Parley P. Pratt Mile Run

Before the Race

We began our Marathon 4th of July celebration with the annual PPP run, which is in memorial of when Parley P. Pratt escaped from jail here in Columbia while being held on false charges related to being "a Mormon". The actual run is 4 miles, which is the distance Parley ran to meet his brother. They also have a mile run for others who are not up to the distance. While I was thinking it was going to be a nice walk in the park, Anna and Mary had other plans. I think the track club they are in has awaken a competitive spirit in them both. They both took off and ran the whole thing. I was running along with Jacob when all of a sudden Mary came running back at the head of the pack. She kept her lead and won the mile race for the whole group. It was not the most athletic group ever, but there were some older boys and girls that kept her moving as she could hear their steps behind her. The most important part was that they had an award for her, a watermelon. She was thrilled and we were all very proud of her for doing her best.

After the race

While Mary came in first, I must say that Anna was not very far behind. She had a slow start with all the runners in front of her, but she ran the whole thing and did great. She doesn't seem to have the same natural drive or confidence as Mary, but she is quite a little runner.

Mary's Proud Moment of Recognition