For organizers and beneficiaries, Statesboro’s sweetest race was a sweet success.
    Even with sour weather, the first “Chocolate Run 5K: Statesboro’s Sweetest Race,” held Saturday in downtown Statesboro, drew hundreds of runners and raised $20,000 for a local charity.
    “It was Statesboro’s largest race and the largest local fundraiser for a local charity ever in Bulloch County history. We are very, very pleased with that,” said Jennifer Douglas, a member of the 2012-2013 Leadership Bulloch Class, which coordinated the event. “The reception was amazing. Folks from all over Georgia and South Carolina came out. We had more than 550 people participate — and more than 800 to register. It is amazing that so many people showed up.”
    Those who braved the elements were able to take part in the 5K or 1K Fun Run, enjoy a multitude of festivities, and satisfy a sweet tooth — hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake and more were given away.
    The record-breaking draw was good news for Statesboro’s Open Hearts Community Mission, which received $20,000 in donations — proceeds from the event.
    “We were very excited. It was a phenomenal turnout. It warmed my heart to see that many people come out,” Open Hearts Director Delia Mobley said. “The crowd in downtown Statesboro, in the cold and rain on Saturday, was an applause to the generosity of the human spirit, and a testament to the hard work by the energetic and passionate Leadership Bulloch Class.”
    Open Hearts is a local nonprofit that aims to “feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and restore the downtrodden” in and around Bulloch County, according to its mission statement.
    The organization is funded solely by 11 area churches and has served about 235 people since August of last year.
    Proceeds from the race will likely help fund a temporary living facility, which would provide a place to help the homeless with counseling and career services, that has been discussed by Open Hearts staff.
    When asked about such a project, Mobley said: “God has blessed us in a mighty way, and the Bulloch Leadership group has been a tremendous help. We hope to have some wonderful news to share with the community within the next couple of months, that (the Chocolate Run) has played a huge part in bringing to a reality.”
    According to Douglas, organizers are “already talking” about plans for a second run next year.
    The event would again be hosted by Leadership Bulloch — a Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce program that identifies and encourages local young business leaders to learn more about their community. The members are encouraged to become active participants in local issues and take on government roles.
    This year, the group brought in double its goal, she said.
    “We are very grateful to the sponsors, the participants, volunteers and the vendors,” Douglas said. “It was cold and wet, but that didn’t stop folks from coming out.”
   
    Jeff Harrison may be reached at (912) 489-9454.