Holy City 5K raises $5,100 for Mother Emanuel Church Fund

According to organizer Amy Metzger, Saturday's Holy City 5K at Hilton Head Island High School couldn't have gone any better.

"It couldn't have been more awesome," Metzger said.

Along with Alfred Olivetti of Hilton Head Island's Go Tri Sports, Metzger organized the race. All of the proceeds went directly to the Mother Emanuel Church Fund to help the nine families who are suffering the loss of their loved ones after the June 17 shooting at Charleston's Emanuel AME Church.

In fact a representative from the bank was there to collect the funds.

In all, nearly 200 runners participated, Metzger said, and the event raised $5,100.

"There was so much energy and the people came together and it was so positive," Metzger said. "It is about the money, but it's more about the people coming together.

Metzger said Transportation Safety Apparel donated 300 T-shirts, and organizers gave the extras out, as well.

Reggie Dees sang "God Bless America" to open the race and closed the event with "Amazing Grace."

And there were winners, as well.

Danny Schoughnessy was the overall and men's winner with a time of 17:12. He was followed, among the men, by Wesley Murphy (17:50) and Mark White (18:10).

The women's champion was Terry Mahoney with a time of 20:47. She was followed by Abby Riley (21:49) and Genesis Salcedo (22:15).

Metzger said there are hopes to host a race in Beaufort, as well, and one in Charleston in November.

Follow sports editor Mike McCombs on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IPBGSports.

This story was originally published July 18, 2015 at 11:08 PM with the headline "Holy City 5K raises $5,100 for Mother Emanuel Church Fund ."