Ybarra wins 2026 Jones 5K race

The weatherman was proved wrong Saturday, April 11, as Mother Nature provided the nearly perfect weather for the 14th annual Chance Mark Roar & Run 5K. Sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and just a slight breeze greeted more than 50 people at City Hall who ran or walked to raise awareness of child abuse.

For the second year, Tristen Ybarra was the overall winner of the race and the top male athlete, beating his time from last year by about two minutes at 18:57. Erica McAnear had the best woman’s, crossing the finish line at 24:15.

More than 80 people registered for the event with several choosing the “sleep-in” registration option ahead of time, and others possibly wanting to avoid the thunderstorms that had been predicted for several days prior.

Complete results of this year’s Chance Jones Roar & Run 5K race are as follows: Top Men’s Time – T. Ybarra, 18:57; Top Women’s Time – McAnear, 24:15; 10 and under – first, Cotley Watts 24:56, second, Hadley Brown 34:15, and third, Ryker Evans, 44:05; Ages 11-19 – first, T. Ybarra 18:54, second, Jaxan McAnear 20:50, and third Kutter O’Keefe 21:51; Ages 20-29 – first, Collin Monroe 21:52, second, Desiree Marmoejo 29:18, and third, Alex Conner 29:19; Ages 30-39 – first, Brian Barboza 37:53, Emily Evans 44:09, and third Chelsea Weldie; Ages 40-49 – first, Erica McAnear 24:15, second, Leah James 29:19; and third, Andrew Brown 34:15; Ages 50-59 – first, Tanya Word 36:10, second, Courtney D’Costa 42:35, and third, Chris Childers 44:05; and Ages 60 and Up – first, Nancy Kidd 45:36, second, LaVern Pinion 46:46, and third, Shaun O’Keefe 1:02.54.

The race sponsored annually by the Clarendon Lions Club honors the life of four-year-old Chance Mark Jones, who died from abuse in 2011.

Saturday would have been the boy’s 20th birthday.

Proceeds from this year’s event will help support the annual charitable activities of the Clarendon Lions Club, including eyeglasses for local school kids, Christmas food baskets for local families, scholarships, other charitable activities, and hosting the local office of The Bridge – Children’s Advocacy Center to serve abused children in the 100th Judicial District.