Published: July 02, 2008 05:00 pm         

Man finds unique way to pop the question

By Melissa Waites

The North Jefferson News



Many women are often asked how their husbands proposed to them.

Most of these stories are worth telling. The same can be said of Will McCalley’s proposal to his girlfriend, Anna Ruth Boyd.

McCalley proposed to Boyd at Fultondale’s 5K Stampede Run on June 21.

The couple, both from Birmingham, met during last year’s race.

“Door prizes are thrown out during the event and Will contacted me the week before the race and asked me if he could have an engagement ring thrown out,” said Sammy Morris, race director. “He wanted to be sure that Anna would catch it.”

Lucky for Will, she did.

“He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. She was totally surprised, she screamed and cried. She wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Morris.

More than 200 runners surrounded the couple as she said “Yes.”

“They were all screaming and clapping. It was wild and a lot of fun,” said Morris.

They are currently in the process of trying to get the story published in Runner’s World.

More than 80 participants placed in the event.

Runners came from all over to compete.

Boyd, took first place in the Stampede Women’s 25-29 competition with a finishing time of 22:29:9. It was also a personal record for Boyd, making this the fastest run she had ever completed.

“No one was asking Anna about the race,” said Morris. “They were all asking about the proposal and everyone wanted to see the ring. People are still talking about it.”

McCalley is also a racer, but did not compete in Saturday’s 5K.

Nathan Lewis, 17, won the race, his first Stampede title, when he finished the 5K course at 17:05.

The annual 5K run benefited the Fultondale Volunteer Fire Department.