Teen Mason Brain takes first place at annual Torch Run 5K

Nearly 200 local runners braved the wintry weather to participate in the annual Torch Run 5K and Fun Run at Florida State University Panama City on Jan. 25.

The Torch Run has been an FSU Panama City tradition since 1989, when a relay of runners carried a flaming torch from Panama City to Tallahassee as part of the FSU Homecoming celebration.

Now a timed 5K run, the event is open to all ages of students, alumni and community members, including two and four-legged walkers, runners, rollers and strollers. This year’s race had 199 participants, up from 160 in 2024.

“Traditions mean a lot for an institution, and this annual Torch Run does just that, but it’s also an opportunity for us to raise money for scholarships, and that’s critically important,” FSU Associate Dean Irvin Clark said.

Proceeds from registration fees will benefit the FSU PC Promise Scholarship Fund, which provides free tuition and fees to students who are residents of Northwest Florida and whose combined family and student income is less than $60,000 or are Pell eligible. 

The route wound from FSU Panama City through Carl Grey Park and around Gulf Coast State College, finishing where it began in front of the Holley Academic Center at FSU PC. Each runner received a medal upon completion, and category winners will also receive a commemorative certificate.

The first overall and first male finisher was Mason Brain, 15, a freshman at North Bay Haven Charter Academy in Panama City, with an official time of 20:05. First female finisher was Adriana Cruz Betancourth, age 19, with a time of 22:27.

Other top finishers by age and gender categories were:

• Age 14 and Under: Female first place Maddie Mohamed (26:54) age 12; second place Kaleah Oros (33:27) age 14. Male first place Walker Bush (44:22) age 13; second place John David Nolin (51:30) age 9.
• Age 15-19: Female first place Bailey Martinek (23:50) age 18; second place Addie Brooks (26:46) age 19. Male first place Will Brooks (21:32) age 15; second place Andrew Turner (22:19) age 18.
• Age 20-29: Female first place Madelyn Gortemoller (22:39) age 21; second place Savannah Owens (26:07) age 21. Male first place Chris Mayer (21:13) age 25; second place Justice Peacock (22:31) age 21.
• Age 30-39: Female first place Lindsay French (25:29) age 38; second place Ashley White (25:39) age 37. Male first place Lexus Roulhac (20:48) age 32; second place Broc French (23:31) age 36.
• Age 40-49: Female first place Tiffanie Mohamed (27:01) age 44; second place Merissa Hudson (27:28) age 46. Male first place Moses Mwenda (20:36) age 44; second place Joseph McArdle (22:03) age 49.
• Age 50-59: Female first place Jill Kupfer (26:35) age 57; second place Debbie Hollis (30:54) age 58. Male first place Marek Bakun (21:50) age 52; second place Carl Schreiner (25:18) age 53.
• Age 60-69: Female first place Elizabeth Arnold (41:13) age 61; second place Ruth Beach (44:08) age 61. Male first place Mike Kupfer (26:11) age 60; second place Walter Spangler (27:36) age 64.
• Age 70-74: Female first place Diana Woods (36:08) age 74; second place Kannika Garcia (44:24) age 73. Male first place Gilbert Garcia (43:56) age 72; second place Frank Kreis (48:45) age 70.
• Age 75-79: Male first place Robert M. Moore (31:24) age 75. (No females registered.)