LAKEMONT, Ga. — Nearly 800 runners laced up their shoes Saturday morning for one of Northeast Georgia’s most enduring Fourth of July traditions as the Rabun Ramble welcomed 777 finishers to its annual 5K and 10K races around scenic Lake Rabun.
The annual event, now in its 20th year, combined patriotic celebration with philanthropy, raising money for the Lake Rabun Foundation, Rabun County EMS and the Lakemont-Wiley Fire Department Association.
Participants tackled the event’s challenging, hilly out-and-back course in muggy temperatures in the 70s, with many crossing the finish line drenched in sweat after navigating the rolling terrain.
One young runner, overcome by fatigue after finishing, received attention from on-site medical personnel. Race officials said the runner was able to leave on his own, though an ambulance remained on standby as a precaution.
The festive atmosphere extended well beyond the finish line. Before and after the race, runners gathered with family and friends while enjoying fresh fruit and snacks provided by organizers. Adults also cooled off with bourbon lemonade, Bloody Marys and other beverages served by Moonrise Distillery of Clayton.
Many participants embraced the holiday spirit by wearing red, white and blue apparel, with some sporting patriotic wigs. Families of all ages took part, from young children riding in strollers pushed by their parents to dogs accompanying their owners along the course.
The race attracted competitors across generations, with participants ranging from children as young as 6 to 8 years old to an 88-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman.
Teenagers swept the 5K overall titles. Andrew Wall, 15, claimed the men’s title in 19 minutes, 10 seconds, while fellow 15-year-old Leslie Dean won the women’s race in 22:59.
In the 10K, Aiden Thaxton, 20, captured the men’s title in 36:38. April Montgomery, 51, finished first among women in 37:16, placing among the event’s fastest overall runners.
The Rabun Ramble was established in 2007 and has become a staple of Independence Day celebrations in Rabun County, pairing a scenic run around Lake Rabun with fundraising efforts that benefit community organizations and first responders.
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