The Karen Lawrence Run, a 4-mile course to Finley Stadium and back, included 250 participants beginning in the 300-block of Broad Street at 7 p.m. Friday.University of Tennessee at Chattanooga runner Chris Berry was the overall male champion in the four-mile competition Friday night in the 32nd Karen Lawrence Run benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
The 21-year-old Berry, who came to UTC from Murfreesboro where he ran cross country and track at Blackman High School, ran the course in 20:09. He recently graduated, but has a year and a half of eligibility remaining and plans to begin work towards a master’s degree.
Berry was also the fastest in 2008 when he entered the event for the first time. A stress fracture in his leg prevented him from competing last year.
The most significant difference about Berry’s victories was the weather. This year he said the only major element was it was a little windy on the bridge. Temperatures were uncommonly in the high 50s and
“You don’t expect it,” Berry said. “The last time ran in it, it was freezing cold and I had gloves and a hat on.”