Dedicated Runners Challenge Near Freezing Temperatures

By Andy Kober

The 2025 Iron Horse 5K was held last Saturday with a record number of participants and Pine Mountain’s volunteer fire department being the big winner.

Sean Boyd, organizer of the annual event, reported this year’s Iron Horse run drew a record 80 participants – this despite below freezing temperatures. In addition to those 80 participants there were a few “phantom” participants. These were people who did not run or walk the 5K, but chose to pay for entry, receive a commemorative beanie, and support the town’s volunteer fire department.

The Iron Horse 5K was held in Pine Mountain on the Man O’ War Railroad Recreation Trail beginning near the intersection of Hwy. 27 and SR 354, to a measured point on the trail behind the old Mountain Creek Inn. Quite a number of the participants expressed their appreciation for the trail which begins in Pine Mountain and currently ends at Mulberry Creek in the Cataula community.

Providing invaluable assistance with this year Iron Horse 5K were FFA students from Harris County School, some of whom performed an “a cappella” version of the National Anthem prior to the run beginning.

Winning the men’s division was Michael Smith, 28, of Atlanta, and winning the women’s division was Catherine Hill, 14, of LaGrange, and each received an award for their effort. All participants earned a special commemorative beanie.

The big winner was Pine Mountain Fire Department, with Boyd presenting the department with a $3,000 donation.