Crashing rain, roaring winds and booming thunder could do nothing to quell the spirit at the 5th Annual Kick Butts Walk & Run Saturday at Morton Park.

Runners took their marks at 10:07 a.m. instead of the scheduled 9 a.m. start because of several lightning delays.

Live music from Hit-Mix 88.9 played for a horde of enthusiastic volunteers while they waited for the storm to pass.

The Charleston Police monitored the dangerous storm in an effort to keep runners safe, and once the flashes ceased, runners were called to the starting line.

Mark Bowman, former Southern Illinois Saluki cross-country runner, made quick work of the charitable competition with a swift time of 16 minutes and 50 seconds.

“I’m pretty wiped,” Bowman said. “With the time pushed back a little bit and warm-up pushed back, you just have to deal with the elements. I just like to race a lot and I like to race for a good cause.”

Next to cross the finish line was Mark Hudson, director of Housing and Dining Services, celebrating a year of being smoke-free with his 2nd place finish.

“It feels outstanding; it’s been quite a journey,” he said. “My time is also a new record.”

Event organizer Catherine Bocke said she was elated that the event was able to ride out the vicious storm and finish successfully.

“Despite the weather, I want to thank all of the runners and walkers who stuck through the bad weather,” she said. “They are really dedicated and I think it was a great success.”

Jeff Kurkewich, senior biological sciences major, and Caitrin Jones, junior special education major, trained for a month for the event and finished together.

“We wanted to get 30 minutes and we missed it by 47 seconds, but I still think it’s a great time and better than I expected.” Kurkewich said. “I’d definitely do more 5Ks and then maybe even challenge myself and run further distances.”

Joshua Bryant can be reached at 581-2812 or jpbryant@eiu.edu.