Ashe County cross country runner Andrew Tedder finished a grueling 13-mile run, and outran every runner on the course, taking the top spot at the Run for the Red half marathon held in Valle Crucis.
This was the third year the event has taken place, and all proceeds from the event were donated to the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Andrew and his father Kevin entered the event, which featured both a half marathon and a full 26-mile marathon through roads and hills in Valle Crucis.
However, nobody envisioned the success that the young runner would have during the run.
“We were expecting him to finish well for his age group,” said Kevin Tedder.
As Andrew crossed the finish line ahead of everybody, he found his dad and told him he had won.
“He said ‘I won it’ and I thought he meant his age group award,” said Kevin. “But when he told me he had won the whole thing, I was shocked.”
In the final hill climb of the event, Andrew saw his opponent behind him, but knew he had to finish strong to hold on for the win. The freshman found that extra gear and, and was able to get the victory while his opponent could never get close enough to overtaking him. Andrew finished the course in roughly an hour and 30 minutes.
Andrew had competed in other area events and had placed well, including another half marathon a year ago and a National Trail Championship 10K where he finished first in his age group.
He also has a few cross country events left this season. Andrew has finished well in most all of the events so far, and should continue to run strong for the Husky XC team.
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