Zebulon — Edgar Bautista crossed the finish line first in Saturday’s chamber of commerce 5K run. But the Zebulon Boys & Girls Club was the real winner.

The event raised $3,066 for the club. This marks the second year of the event and the second year the Boys & Girls Club has been the beneficiary of the chamber’s good will.

Chamber director Tammy Russo said the event grew in its second year, attracting runners from as far away as Louisburg and Clayton. A total of 63 runners entered the event, including a handful who participated in a 1-mile walk. Five kilometers is equal to 3.2 miles.

Bautista won the race in a time of 18:26. Madeleine Zolfo won the women’s race, clocking in at 19:44.

Among the runners they beat to the finish line were 10 members of the Boys & Girls Club who decided to take on the challenge of running a 5K race themselves.

Karl Thoma, director of the Zebulon Boys & Girls Club, said another dozen club members volunteered to help work the race, standing at corners to direct runners and at water tables to replenish thirsty racers.

He said volunteering like that is important for club members.

“When you give kids a chance to partake in community events, it’s a good experience,” Thoma said.

As important as it is for the youngsters to participate in events like the 5K run, Thoma said the community support is especially critical to an agency like the Boys & Girls Club.

“It’s huge to have an organization like the chamber of commerce in our corner. John Hanlon and Deanna Chambers have been huge for us and we hope that relationship continues,” Thoma said.

He hopes support from a group like the chamber encourages other community members to support his agency.

“Whenever the community pulls together to support us it means they are buying into what the Boys & Girls Club is doing.”