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Erica Techo
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(Clockwise from top) David, Kristie, Clark and Grace Stewart at this year's Dirt Dash. Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Al and Arthur Jones run in the Dirt Dash. Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Suzie Lowndes, Clarissa Smith and Abbie Rigg at this year's Dirt Dash. Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Samford University student Brandon Regan finishes first at the 2016 Dirt Dash. Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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(From left) Ashley, Kate, Al and Arthur Jones at the 2016 Dirt Dash. Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Heather Oliver, special events coordinator at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, kicks off the 2016 Dirt Dash. Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
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Erica Techo
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Jessop O'Brien runs the 2016 Dirt Dash. Runners raced through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during this year's Dirt Dash, held on Oct. 29, 2016.
Most weekends, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are filled with families taking photos, walking around to enjoy the scenery. On Saturday, Oct. 29, however, it was filled with runners.
During the fourth annual Dirt Dash, about 175 runners took to the trails weaving through the gardens, and even more people showed up to participate in the 1-mile family walk. Special events coordinator Heather Oliver said the Dirt Dash is an annual fundraiser put on by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens junior board, and money raised helps fund programs and opportunities that are a part of the gardens' educational mission.
Samford University student Brandon Regan, 21, completed the race first, at 21 minutes and 10 seconds. Awards were given to the top runners in each age bracket.
