Fayette Cares High Cotton 5k/1k Makes History and Memories
From a thrilling photo finish, a historic women’s victory, and a 1k run for a chicken in a backpack, the 18th Annual High Cotton 5k/1k, offered plenty of memories as Fayette Cares marked four decades of caring for neighbors in need.
In a remarkable repeat of last year’s dramatic 5k finish, Ian Dycus, who finished second in a photo finish in the 2025 race, returned determined to claim the top spot. After another extremely close, neck-and-neck finish, Dycus emerged victorious in a fiercely competitive race.
History was also made when the race crowned its first-ever overall female winner, Sarah Inman, who completed the 5k while four months pregnant.
The event, which welcomes four-legged companions through its Pet Pass, also featured one of the day’s most unexpected participants: Nugget the chicken, who completed the 1k riding in a chicken backpack carried by the Taylor family.
“Only in Fayette County, Tennessee!” laughed Fayette Cares Executive Director Alexandra Porto. “These are the moments we remember, the excitement at the finish line, the laughter, the friendships, the children, the pets and Nugget the chicken! But most of all, we remember what brought everyone together, the chance to care for our neighbors and make a difference in our communities.”
The race was especially significant as Fayette Cares celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1986, the organization has spent four decades helping people facing homelessness, domestic violence and crisis move toward safety, stability and self-sufficiency.
“Forty years later, that spirit is still alive and well,” said Porto. “Every person who ran, walked, volunteered, sponsored, cheered or supported this event became part of that legacy.” The organization expressed its appreciation to event sponsors, including Mercedes-Benz of Collierville, Somerville Animal Hospital, Somerville Methodist Church, Rehab World, Sticker Mule, Coca-Cola, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Zeta Phi Beta, Incorporated – Mu Zeta Zeta, David Kelley Jewelers, Dena Bagma, SignGypsies-Oakland, Rossville, Arlington, Lakeland TN, The Fayette Falcon, ShopLocal Magazine and Tribe Photography.
Special thanks also go to the Somerville Police Department, Corrections Management Corporation and Boy Scout Troop 95 for their support with traffic and safety.
For race results and photos, visit fayettecares.org/5k.
About Fayette Cares: Fayette Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 with a mission to empower those in need with solutions to end homelessness, break the cycle of domestic violence, and create stability and self-sufficiency from crisis. For 40 years, Fayette Cares has worked alongside the community to provide safety, support, housing assistance and other services to individuals and families in need.
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