Aiden Bramlett and Joanna Goss were the overall winners of the sixth annual Harold Boone Smokin 5K Virtual Road Race hosted by Monroe County Emergency Services (MCES) on Saturday, May 23.
Saturday’s event was the final road race in Boone’s memory. Boone was an MCES firefighter who passed away in November 2020 as a result of COVID-19. In the days after Boone’s unexpected passing, his close friends and fellow firefighters, Dr. Margie Bryant, Lt. Greg Stephens, and Chief Shaun Hart, banded together to honor Boone by hosting a virtual road race in his memory. The proceeds from the first Smokin 5K road race in November 2020 were donated to Boone’s widow, Sharon Boone, and the granddaughter that Harold and Sharon raised, Nyjhae Boone-Whitehead.
Boone’s friends decided to continue hosting the race annually until Boone-Whitehead graduated from high school with proceeds from the race going to provide for Boone-Whitehead’s college education. On Tuesday, May 19, Boone-Whitehead officially graduated with honors from Macon’s Northeast High School, and on Saturday, Bryant and Stephens presented her with a check for $2,500. Over the past six years, the race has now raised over $25,000 for the Boone family, including Boone-Whitehead’s future education. Boone-Whitehead will enroll this summer at Georgia State University, where she plans to major in nursing.
Boone-Whitehead’s other grandfather, Dr. Timothy French, pastor of Macon’s Beulah Baptist Church, served as the keynote speaker as awards were given out at the conclusion of Saturday’s race. French lauded his granddaughter’s efforts in the classroom that have led her to completing her high school education.
“You didn’t just climb it. You conquered it,” French said of Boone-Whitehead’s pursuit up the education “mountain.”
French said behind every successful graduate is a community of people who believe in them. French said Saturday’s event and the funds that have been provided through the years for Boone-Whitehead’s education are proof that she has a “village” of people who support her and believe she is capable of changing the world.
Boone’s friend and fellow firefighter, Trey Piper, who walked or ran 30 miles in full turnout gear in Boone’s memory back in 2020, was next to speak. Piper said Boone was “a fireman’s fireman” and called working with him a “distinct honor.” Piper recalled a time when he was worried about his family’s finances as Christmas approached and remembered Boone gave him a note with some cash in it to take home with him that Christmas.
District 1 Commissioner Lamarcus Davis read aloud a proclamation ordering that May 23, 2026 be known as “Harold Boone Appreciation Day.” Commissioner Davis urged Boone-Whitehead to continue pressing forward in her life and to remember that she is a “beacon of light” and positive role model for many of her friends. Commissioner Davis concluded his remarks that reminding Boone-Whitehead that she is never alone because the Lord is always by her side.
The final speaker, Bryant, said she felt God calling her to put on this annual race in her friend’s memory and said, “When God tells you do something, you do it.” Bryant said it’s been an honor to be a part of Boone-Whitehead’s life over the past six years and urged her to stay focused and trust that God has worked things out in her favor. Bryant pledged to remain part of Boone-Whitehead’s life moving forward by sending her encouraging texts and continued financial assistance, if needed. Bryant also presented Boone-Whitehead with a bobblehead of Boone that she can take with her to college to be able to see her late grandfather’s face daily.
Other participants in Saturday’s event were Stephens, who served as the event’s emcee, Deacon Nathan Flagg, who gave the opening prayer, Barnesville Police Chief Belinda Penamon, who sang Boone’s favorite song, “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name”, MCES Deputy Chief Josh Wagner, who presented flowers to Boone’s wife Sharon and his mother, Hattie, MCES Captain Christina Bramlett, who handed out race awards, Georgia Luminary Foundation, Inc. member Jimmy Pierson, who presented a Bible to Boone-Whitehead, Boone-Whitehead, who thanked race organizers and participants for their support, and Sharon Boone, who told supporters that she’ll never forget their acts of kindness.
Race winners included: Aiden Bramlett (Top Overall Male with a time of 19 minutes), Joanna Goss (Top Overall Female with a time of 51 minutes), Jonathan Godfrey (1st Place Age 40-44), Joe Laimana (2nd Place Age 40-44), Kristal Smith (1st Place Age 45-49), Margie Bryant (1st Place Age 70-74), and Jimmy Pierson (1st Place Age 75-79).
