Augusta, GA

‘Run to Remember’ 5K honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2024

‘Run to Remember’ 5K honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dozens of runners hit the trails on Monday in honor of the fallen in the Wear Blue Run to Remember 5k.

Each runner was assigned a veteran’s name so they could run in their honor.

Mahalia Marin is a veteran but also a part of the Student Veterans of America Association at Augusta University

“I’ve been deployed three times, I’m back here. There are many people who didn’t make it back. And we’re just here representing them. And so we speak their names, so we don’t forget,” said Marin.

Coming home isn’t something everyone gets to do. So, on Memorial Day, they run in their honor and think about how each person paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“I actually just retired this past year. But this was one of my soldiers in Washington, one of my soldiers in San Antonio and also Germany. And the last soldier I was stationed with at Fort Stewart we deployed together to Iraq and got killed over there,” said Jamie Graham, a veteran.

During the run, 133 posters could be seen along the sidelines with names and photos of fallen members since 9/11 who served in the CSRA, once lived in the area, or were friends and family members of locals.

“I lost my father in active duty Army when I was six. He was deployed in Iraq in 2010. So it’s, it’s been very rough. But starting this organization at Augusta University has really helped to not only educate the community on what Goldstar families are but to also bring in local, other Goldstar families who go to Augusta University,” said Caitlyn Burner, founder and President of Augusta Goldstar Foundation.

Burner came to honor her dad. Burner’s boyfriend and his family also ran in her dad’s honor.

“When I was running through it, I just used it as a point to just kind of go as hard as I can because we wouldn’t be here without any without their service. So I just use that as motivation just to do my best,” said Stephen Webster, Burner’s boyfriend.

They’re showing support for those you know and even those you don’t while remembering what this holiday is truly about.

“It’s pretty cool that people, people really do care. And they’re out here showing it and they’re running for fallen soldiers who they don’t even know,” said Burner.

For more information on Goldstar families and how to support them, click here.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

8 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

20 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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