More than 450 runners turned out bright and early on a humid, but tolerable Saturday morning to attempt to beat Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy at his own race.

The longest standing race in Citrus County, the 15th Annual Beat the Sheriff Race brought record race numbers to downtown Inverness where people from age five to eighty five ran to support Jessie’s Place, the County’s very own Child Advocacy Center.

The starting line, right by Little Italy restaurant, was completely packed with a variety of competitors, including cross-country teams, fire fighters, moms and dads with baby strollers, Sheriff’s Office employees, runners with dogs on leashes, law enforcement academy cadets and alumni, teachers, an entire baseball team, very excited kids, some not-so-excited adults and more.

The course is a scenic one, but is also tough, with a few decent hills heading up Apopka and then back by the cemetery. Runners wound their way behind Inverness Primary School on Highlands Blvd. and then up through Citrus High School behind the football stadium. Those who hung in there finished the race right behind the old, historic courthouse.

Sheriff Dawsy, who practices what he preaches about physical fitness, ran the 3.1 miles in 24:48, close to an eight-minute-mile pace, placing 109th overall in race standings. Geremy DeWitt placed first overall in the race with an incredible time of 16:18, under a six-minute-mile pace.

During the race festivities, the local chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters presented Sheriff Dawsy with a $1,000 check for Jessie’s Place. Many of Citrus County Fire Rescue’s crew ran the race, too. The Citrus Cyclones 12 and under baseball team ran the race together, along with many of their family members. After touring Jessie’s Place earlier in the month, they collected loose change and donated a check on Saturday for over $400 to the center.

Thanks to the organizational skills of the Sheriff’s Office’s Traci Beagan, race coordinator, the many sponsors of the race, the volunteers and the runners, this year’s race was bigger and better than ever, helping to raise awareness and much needed funds for Jessie’s Place.