Rain spared Robbins last weekend, and more than 100 folks braved Bear Creek, its muddy bottom and its bushy banks to compete in 2012’s running-wading-paddling Bearathlon.

The fifth annual Adventure Bearathlon Saturday, April 21, brought young and old out to Robbins to gather by the N.C. 705 bridge.

“The rain held off to give us a beautiful day for another exciting competition: a 1.25-mile run, a one-mile paddle, the ‘doughnut crawl’ special ­test and a creek crossing trail run to finish in front of an excited crowd,” said William McDuffie, of Foothills Outdoors, the northern Moore County nonprofit event organizer. “The first race of the day was the adult solo competition, which carried double points for the hotly contested Robbins Area Athlete of the Year points race.”

Ross Peele, of Sanford, edged out Tristin Mackey, of Robbins, by 15 seconds to take the men’s solo title, McDuffie said. With his victory, Peele leads the points race by two points over Allen Bumgarner, of Hickory.

McDuffie’s daughter, River, held off Teresa Donner, of Carthage. to take first place in the women’s race. She has a 10-point lead over Lindsey Marsh in the women’s points race.

Youth competitors age 12 and under were next. The young folks took the stage on a shorter but equally challenging course. The four-person team of Brent Mercer, Conner Dunn, Jorgen Salazar and Payton Stone led the way to finish first overall. Dalton Peele again took first in solo male category, with Kaitlynn Gibson finishing first in solo female category.

A team event was the afternoon race, with teams of two, three or four people representing schools, churches, co-workers, friends and families. The team of Max Hogan, Ross Peele and Joseph Adcock, representing Lee County Senior High School, finished just ahead of the North Carolina State University ROTC team of Levi Morris, David Bohannon and Kevin Zimmerman. Local favorites — and previous team race winners — Trevor and Miles Dunlap came in only seven seconds behind to take third place.

Adventure Bearathlon is the signature event of Foothills Outdoors. Carolina Fried Chicken sponsors it every year, and races are free for competitors 18 years old and younger. A Bear Creek Race Series wrapup with full results and current point standings is to be posted online at foothillsoutdoors.org — the nonprofit’s website.

“As with all our events, the Bearathlon would be impossible without the help of our volunteers,” William McDuffie said.

George Hayfield (former Robbins town manager), Methodist minister Mike Weber, Jose Zuniga, Lynne and River McDuffie, and Dalton Cheek set up the course. The timing and registration table and tent were handled by Tom Blue, Lynne McDuffie, Rhonda Key, Cynthia Reeves and Daltina Peele. Course safety and boat control were handled by Wade Peele, Scott Key, Ian Mackey and Philip Martindale. Zuniga, Cheryl Weiss and Mike Weber took care of the “donoughnut crawl” special test.

Snacks and drinks were peddled from a concession table by Dalton Davis, Linda Davis, Bill McDuffie and Sue McDuffie.

McDuffie gave special thanks to Sandhills Community College for canoes and life jackets, to the Robbins Rescue Squad and, most especially, to Cheek for providing access on his creekside property.

“Thanks all who brought extra boats, helped move equipment, counted run laps and did other things to make this year’s Bearathlon run smoothly and safely,” McDuffie said. “There are only 361 training days left for Bearathlon 2013!”

Foothills Outdoors’ next event will be the Farmers Day 5K on Thursday, Aug. 2.

“The course will be similar to the Pumpkin Run 5K course, but probably a little hotter,” McDuffie said. “Thanks again to everyone who came out to compete, volunteer or spectate. It was another great day in Robbins. ”

Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or by email at jfchappell@gmail.com.