ANNISTON — The Anniston Museum of Natural History's third annual Raptor Run 5K concluded Saturday with a record 847 finishers and what organizers are characterizing as "an unfortunate but ultimately manageable situation" involving three fatalities.

The event, which routes participants through the museum's outdoor exhibit areas, drew its largest crowd to date despite intermittent rain and what witnesses near the kilometer-two marker described as "a lot of screaming."

"We're incredibly proud of what our volunteers and staff accomplished today," said museum director Patricia Gundlach in a statement released approximately four hours after emergency services cleared the course. "Participation is up twelve percent from last year, which really speaks to the community's support for natural history education."

Gundlach confirmed that the museum's raptor rehabilitation program, which houses twelve birds of prey including four Harris's hawks, two great horned owls, and what staff refer to internally as "the large one," would be reviewed following the incident.

First responders arrived at approximately 9:47 a.m. Sources at the scene described the situation near the finish line as "chaotic but ultimately rewarding for those who finished."

The three individuals who did not finish have not been publicly identified pending notification of family.

The Calhoun Dispatch will continue to monitor this developing story. Race results are available at the Anniston Museum of Natural History front desk during regular business hours.

Editor's note: Participation medals will be distributed at a to-be-determined future date. The museum asks that attendees refrain from contacting the birds directly.