Former MC Runner Wins Half Marathon
"I was able to achieve the winning performance by gaining strength from those along the race course and the Lord being right alongside me," Manning said Thursday at his alma mater in Clinton. "I really had some great support from my family, friends and other spectators."
Last weekend, Manning was among more than 800 participants in the Renaissance Colony Half Marathon. He was out in front almost from the start of the race of a little more than 13 miles. His time was one hour, 14 minutes and ten seconds.
Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee was among those in the crowd cheering on the MC grad. MC administrators Steve Stanford and Cam Armstrong also competed in the race in Madison County.
In January, Manning, 23, was the first runner to finish from the Jackson metro area and the ninth best overall in the inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon. The race spanned the streets of Jackson and Flowood. His time of 2 hours, 45 minutes and 53 seconds qualified him for the Boston Marathon.
As a junior at Madison's St. Joseph High, Manning was the state's 1A championship winner. At the Christian university in Clinton, Manning was the American Southwest Conference runner of the year.
This summer, Manning is getting ready to coach MC's cross country team this fall. He also hopes to make another good showing at the second annual Mississippi Blues Marathon. The 26.2 mile course should attract hundreds of runners in January 2009.
Away from the running scene, Manning is pursuing a master's degree in business administration. He plans to graduate in December 2008. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration in December 2006 at MC.
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