Parents, students and staff at Ligon Middle School braved chilly weather Saturday morning to participate in the 2nd annual "Bolt for the Blue." The 5K race/walk, organized by school staff and volunteers, is the school's only fundraiser.

"I'm excited that we're able to have a fundraiser like this at the school where we don't send people out to sell a bunch of stuff," said Principal Scott Lyons. "But we can actually get together and have a great time."

Ligon students helped to promote the event by participating in a "Bolt Baton" race from classroom to classroom and performing a series of "Bolt for the Blue" rap and rhymes.

Competition was more "intense" than eighth grader Eric Price had expected, but he was pleased at his performance.

"It was my first time doing it and I got 22:19," he said.

Jason Bochert of Cary was the first to cross the finish line, with a time of 18:29. Trisha Moore was the first woman to finish, with a time of 20:03.

Led by Assistant Principal Ronnie Sharpe, volunteers recruited sponsorships and donations from the community for door prizes and awards. The fastest student team, the Beast Lightning, won the honor of putting their names on the coveted Golden Shoe Award.

Proceeds from the event go to support school-wide activities and programs.