Cale Luckey took home several awards Dec. 10, including the one for being the top runner in the 14-18 age group in the Shop with a Cop Polar Bear 5K.

He was also the top male runner and overall race winner.

Lori Harkey earned her award as the fastest female runner in the race.

Chip Cloninger took the top spot in the age 36-45 men’s category while Deborah Gardner won in the same group for the women.

Mark Long was the fastest male runner in the 55 and up category, and Karen Isenberg took home the award for being the top female runner in the same age group.

Anne Lucas and Charlie Pace were the fastest runners in the 19-26 age group, while Mirandi Chewning was the fastest woman in the age 27-35 group (there was no man in that age group).

Leslie Hutchinson won the women’s 46-54 category. Davis Wright and Cierra Lear were the fastest children in the age 10-13 category.

Daniel Landon and Genna McCollum were the fastest runners in the youngest age group of 7-9 year-olds.

Race organizer Joshua Leviner, a magistrate and former Wadesboro police officer, was pleased with the event.

“This year we had more than double the number of participants from last year,” he said, adding that profits were also doubled. He thanked Anson County schools for sending student volunteers.

About half of the participants were children, with runners as young as 7.

“Chief (Thedis) Spencer, my lifelong mentor, had the idea to get Shop with a Cop started again,” Leviner said.

The program is one aspect of community policing and building trust within the community the police serve, he said.

“Community policing is all about helping the community,” Leviner said. “This program is one way we are able to provide trust — not just gifts, but trust,” Leviner said.

A raffle for towels, gift cards to Dick’s Sporting Goods and a grand prize was held soon after the race.

Officer Thomas Luckey served as the police liaison, raising funds through corporate sponsors.

Dental Works in Monroe matched donations with twice the value in dental work for donors. Coca-Cola, Valley Proteins, Inc., Jordan Quality Forest Products, Mike Griffin Cars, Dental Works, G104.3 FM, Poisson, Poisson and Bower, Duke Energy, Coville Innovative Knits and Apparel, Dick’s Sporting Goods, GNC, Pee Dee Electric, Carolina Farm Credit, Brown Creek Animal Hospital and Food Lion were all sponsors.

Leviner said the race will be held in the same place next year: in front of the new Wadesboro Police Department at 2 p.m. Dec. 9.

All proceeds were donated to the Shop with a Cop fund. The run alone raised $6,500, according to Leviner. Spencer said that he and his staff needed to look at the full fund total from donations, the motorcycle ride and other fundraisers.

Twenty children participating in Shop with a Cop will shop Friday afternoon.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Cale Luckey takes home several awards after finishing first in the Polar Bear Run on Dec. 10.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_2016-Polar-Bear-Run-winner-Cale-Luckey-fz.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Cale Luckey takes home several awards after finishing first in the Polar Bear Run on Dec. 10.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Young Cale Luckey prepares to cross the finish line.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_2016-Polar-Bear-Run-winner-near-finish-line-Cale-Luckey-fz.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Young Cale Luckey prepares to cross the finish line.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Runners near the finish line by the new police department on Rutherford Street.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_IMG_6192.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Runners near the finish line by the new police department on Rutherford Street.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Timing officials watch the clock and prepare to greet runners as the athletes near the crowd waiting at the finish line.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_IMG_6235.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Timing officials watch the clock and prepare to greet runners as the athletes near the crowd waiting at the finish line.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Lori Harkey, the overall top female in the race, displays her awards.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_IMG_6394.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Lori Harkey, the overall top female in the race, displays her awards.

For the Record Top race finishers meet at the finish line after the race. From back left: Chip Cloninger, Deborah Gardner, Mark Long, Anne Lucas, Charlie Pace, Mirandi Chewning, Lori Harkey, Karen Isenberg. Front row, from left: Leslie Hutchinson, race winner Cale Luckey, Davis Wright, Cierra Lear, Daniel Landon and Genna McCollum.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Anson_polarbear16.jpgFor the Record Top race finishers meet at the finish line after the race. From back left: Chip Cloninger, Deborah Gardner, Mark Long, Anne Lucas, Charlie Pace, Mirandi Chewning, Lori Harkey, Karen Isenberg. Front row, from left: Leslie Hutchinson, race winner Cale Luckey, Davis Wright, Cierra Lear, Daniel Landon and Genna McCollum.

By Imari Scarbrough

iscarbrough@civitasmedia.com