Saturday was another great day for conservation. More than 200 runners from several states participated in the Second Annual Laurel Dace Day 5K/10K Race in Spring City.

Spring City, known as “The Home of The Laurel Dace,” has been supporting the Tennessee Aquarium’s efforts to save this endangered species from extinction.

Every registered runner, donor, and sponsor of Saturday’s event helps raise funding and awareness for one of Tennessee’s rarest species and the importance of protecting our freshwater streams and waterways.

Listen to The Podcast Aquatic to hear from the scientist who formally described the Laurel Dace and one of the Tennessee Aquarium’s scientists working to restore this native fish. Click here to listen.

• Charlie Saylor, Tennessee Valley Authority ichthyologist (retired)
• Dr. Bernie Kuhajda, Tennessee Aquarium aquatic conservation biologist

5K Overall winners:

Men

1st - Zach Cooper (Graysville, TN)

2nd - Owen McClure (Birchwood, TN)

3rd - P. Gray (Ooltewah, TN)

Women

1st - Emma Reed (Dayton, TN)

2nd - Victoria Formosa (Nashville, TN)

3rd - Ella Segal (Knoxville, TN)

10K Overall Winners

Men

1st - Raymond Williams (Chattanooga, TN)

2nd - Nolan Wildfire (Knoxville, TN)

3rd - Robert Fife (Harrison, TN)

Women

1st - Megan Lott (Flintstone, GA)

2nd - Charlotte Carruth (Knoxville, TN)

3rd - Loribeth Lee (Chattanooga, TN)