The 2025 installment of The Crumley House Joggin’ for the Noggin 5K brought 400 competitors to the scenic backroads of Limestone, Tennessee to join in supporting survivors of traumatic brain injury. Among them was Amber Tookey, a 39-year-old runner from Boise, Idaho, who delivered a standout performance, finishing first overall with an impressive time of 18:25—setting a blistering pace of 5:55 minutes per mile.
But Tookey’s story is about more than just speed. It’s a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit.
See the full race results here.
A Battle Beyond the Finish Line
In 2019, Amber Tookey was an active young woman, passionate about running and eager to compete again. But as she ramped up her training, she noticed an unusual fatigue—something far beyond the normal exhaustion of rigorous workouts. Then came the unexplained swelling in her abdomen. At first, she pushed through, attributing it to the demands of training. But when the swelling didn’t subside, she sought medical attention.
The diagnosis was devastating: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia—a rare form of blood and bone marrow cancer. With her white blood cell count dangerously low, doctors informed her that without treatment, survival was not an option.
A bone marrow transplant became her best chance. In late December, she underwent the procedure and spent the next month in the hospital recovering. Then, on the eve of her 36th birthday, she was discharged—free to start her next race, the one against cancer.
The Road Back
Just two weeks after leaving the hospital, Amber laced up her running shoes and took her first post-transplant run. Fifty days later, she completed a 10K. Six months later, she conquered Kendall Mountain, a grueling 12-mile race that summits a 13,000-foot peak in Colorado.
And she hasn’t stopped since.
A Historic Finish
When asked what brought her to northeast Tennessee for the Joggin’ for the Noggin 5K, Tookey said, “Well, I’m here visiting some friends, and they shared that this is one of the best 5Ks in the region. So I thought I’d come out and run today.”
And run she did. Tookey made history as the first female overall winner in the 11-year history of the event, which also features a popular post-race pancake breakfast.
Bristol, Tennessee’s Corey Henson secured second place with a time of 19:16, while Andrew Campbell of Bristol, Virginia, finished third at 19:22.
A Community Effort
The 400 participants marked the third-largest turnout in the event’s history, matching numbers from 2014 and 2016. Crumley House Executive Director Guynn Edwards expressed gratitude for everyone involved.
“We just want to thank everyone who played a part in making our event successful,” said Edwards. “Our sponsors, Board of Directors, Crumley House staff, and volunteers worked so well together in planning and executing today’s event.
“Most importantly, of course, is the cause for this event and that is to generate funds to continue our mission to enhance the quality of life for survivors of traumatic brain injury,” Edwards added.