SPENCER — Spencer, a quaint town nestled in Rowan County, came alive on Saturday, Dec. 2, as it played host to the 3rd annual Freeze Your Buns Run. The event, a part of the annual Winterfest Celebration, brought together enthusiastic runners and community members alike to embrace the winter chill in a spirit of camaraderie and fitness. Surprisingly, the weather that day turned out to be perfect, defying the expectations of rain that had loomed over the event.

The Freeze Your Buns Run is not just any ordinary race; it carries the name of a running legend, David Freeze. Serving as the longstanding president of the Salisbury Rowan Runners, David Freeze has left his mark on the local running community. Boasting an impressive record of more than 90,000 running miles and completing 24 marathons, including iconic races in Boston, New York City and Jacksonville, Freeze is the embodiment of dedication and passion for running.

Freeze’s achievements extend beyond personal milestones. He has been recognized as the five-time top masters runner in North Carolina, according to the Tar Heel Tour series of events. His commitment to the sport is further evident in his regular contributions to the Salisbury Post and other publications, where he shares insights into running and fitness. Thanks to his efforts, Salisbury has gained national recognition as a “Runner Friendly Community,” a distinction shared by only about 50 communities across the United States.

The Freeze Your Buns Run, now in its third year, has become more than just a race. The youngest participant was 4 year old Monroe Bishop, who sported a pink jumpsuit. Monroe was all smiles when she accepted her participation award for the day’s First Place female finisher in the children’s Fun Run. The top male finisher in the Fun Run was Dawson Morris, 9, with a time of 0:03:23

Seasoned runner Melissa Orr took first place in the overall female category with a time of 25:30 followed closely by 15-year-old Arden Miller (26:52) and 13-year-old Raegan Helms (28:08). 

Froilan Frutos, 49, placed first in the overall men’s division with a competitive race time of 18:18. Peyton Scarboro, who runs cross country at Carson High School, came in second overall with a time of 19:43. Jasen Weber rounded out the top three overall male times with 22:06.

The Freeze Your Buns Run symbolizes the unity of a community brought together by a shared love for running, fitness, and the winter spirit, with David Freeze’s legacy at its core. 

As Rowan County continues to host a myriad of races, the Freeze Your Buns Run will be back in 2024.