Mountain Top Sports | Pikeville, KY
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UK Athletics set to host Kroger Simple Truth 5K
Event returns after successful 2024 showing
LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK Athletics will host the UK5K presented by Kroger Simple Truth the morning of Saturday, May 10. The race will begin and end at Kroger Field at Gate 12 and guide participants through various athletic facilities on the south campus.
“This is one of our favorite events of the year and we are excited to have Big Blue Nation on campus for a fun and exciting community event that highlights some of the nation’s best collegiate athletic facilities,” said Nathan Schwake, associate athletics director for marketing and licensing. “We could not put something like this together without the amazing support from Kroger and Girls on the Run Central Kentucky. They both work diligently with us to put this exciting event together. We can’t wait.”
During the race, you will take a journey through several UK sports facilities including Kroger Field (football), the Joe Craft Football Training Facilities, Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex, and John Cropp Stadium (softball). Both UK Athletics and Kroger will have active presences at the race.
“We are thrilled to bring back Kroger’s Simple Truth UK5K this year,” said Jessica Sharp, Kroger corporate affairs manager. “Partnering non-profit organization Girls on the Run, we hope to empower young girls with confidence and kindness while also sharing Kroger’s Simple Truth line of grocery items as an affordable and organic option to build healthier plates at every table.”
Registration is open now at UKathletics.com/UK5K2025 with three pricing categories. Registration is $35 for adults (18 years old and over) and $30 for youth (ages 17 and under) with a 9 a.m. ET start time. The Junior Wildcat Club 100 Yard Dash Kids Race is for kids 6 years old and younger and will begin the day at 8:30 a.m. ET. Registration for the 100-yard dash is $15. Walking participants can register at the same price in all three categories.
Participants in the race will receive a commemorative t-shirt. The UK5K will be a chip-timed race, with prizes from Kroger for overall top finishers and top finishers in various age groups. Each participant will also receive a medal (Kroger Field replica), provided by Kroger. Strollers and Pets are not able to participate due to the course terrain.
There will be two options for packet pickup after you complete online registration. Packets will be available Friday, May 9 from 4-6 p.m. ET at Kroger on Euclid Avenue (704 Euclid Avenue, Lexington, KY 40502). Packets will also be available on Saturday, May 10 starting at 7 a.m. ET at Gate 12 at Kroger Field (1540 University Drive, Lexington, KY 40506).
“Girls on the Run Central Kentucky is excited to continue the growing partnership at the UK5K on May 10th,” said Heidi Guckenberger, executive director for Girls on the Run Central Kentucky. “UK Athletics and Kroger’s dedication to the community’s health and wellness aligns with the mission of Girls on the Run Central Kentucky. Over 350 3rd – 8th grade girls will achieve their goal of completing a 5K event thanks to the support of these community partners.”
Pike County-native coaches his way to a state basketball title
by BRITTANY DeSha’ ROWE, SPORTS DIRECTOR
He’s known as the “Miracle on the Mountain” to many Pike County Natives after making one of the greatest comebacks in our area basketball history by nailing 10 3 pointers in the 60th District Championship after being down 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Pike County Central High graduate Athletic Hall of Famer Hobo McCoy was a stand-out basketball phenom across Eastern Kentucky. Upon graduation from the University of Pikeville, McCoy went on to be an assistant coach at Pike Central High School.
The latest notch in McCoy’s belt came this past Saturday when the Great Crossing WarHawks won the Boys KHSAA Sweet 16 State Championship at Rupp Arena.
When Hobo stepped away from the basketball program at Pike Central he looked to greener pastures and he and his family made their way to Great Crossings in Georgetown, Kentucky. McCoy sent an email with his resume from his cell phone to the head coach of the Warhawks Steve Page.
Page reached back out to McCoy without knowing who he was and what this former phenom had to offer. Originally Hobo was supposed to start as the fourth assistant coach but with his basketball expertise quickly worked his way up to the number one assistant as well as the head coach for the Junior Varsity team. That team has had two 20-win seasons since playing under McCoy.
The Warhawks are led by Head Coach Steve Page, Assistant Coach Hobo McCoy, and future Kentucky Wildcat and 2025 Mr. Kentucky Basketball Malachi Moreno.
McCoy stated, “Malachi is Malachi and is a unicorn in the basketball world.”
When we asked McCoy about the experience for the team and him this season as they battled in the boy’s Sweet 16 he stated, “This year’s experience was a business trip for the team, they had been the runner-up in 2023, made it to the Final Four in 2024, and this year wanted to make sure they brought the biggest trophy in high school basketball back home.”
We asked Hobo what it meant to see the love and support from the 606 after winning a state championship and now coaching in the 859.
“I’ve always loved Pike County and it will always be home,” McCoy said. “I am so appreciative of the support I’ve received from the 606 and the people who have supported and encouraged me since I was eight-years-old. The same people who congratulated me my senior year when Pike Central defeated Belfry in the 60th District championship are the same people who congratulated me when we won the state championship. That is truly special.”
McCoy plans on staying at Great Crossings and continuing his work with coach Page until they tell him to stop showing up, he says.
All of us here at Mountain Top Sports applaud him on his achievements and future success with the WarHawks.
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