Saturday, March 31, 2001 -- Winchester, VA
Rotary 5K & 1/4 Mile Kids Run (iPO Event Id#: 3149)
Story by Neal Riemenschneider

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class] [Pic Set 1]

Another fine event brought to you by the Shenandoah Valley Runners

The James Wood train gets rolling

James Wood High School was scheduled for a track meet on Saturday March 31st. Due to heavy rains flooding the field events, the team found out the day before that the meet would have to be cancelled. Head Coach Craig Woshner, wanting his distance runners to get in a hard work out, "encouraged" the team to attend the next day's Rotary 5K. Well, not only did they show up, they walked away with 2 overall wins, 8 age group awards and took the top 7 places overall.

Leading the charge was Coach Woshner himself running solo to victory in 15:53. "I went out hard and my intent was to break 16 minutes," explained the 31 year-old ASICS runner. "The cool weather with no wind made it a nice day to race." Finishing second was James Wood's top runner 17 year-old Nick Kelchner in 17 minutes flat. The top master was the hunk writing this article in 18:05 (I can dream can't I?).

Heading for home...

Not to be outdone, the 2000 Winchester Star Cross-Country Runner of The Year Kristin Novara took the women's crown in 19:50. Novara is James Wood's top female runner. "I wanted to run even pace for the first 2 miles and hang on for the last mile. It was a fair course but the hills made you work hard, "stated the 14 year old Novara. Second grade teacher Ruth Riemenschneider (age 43) nabbed second overall finishing in 20:26. When she opted for the second overall award, the first master award went to 51 year-old retiree Sandy Adams in 20:57.

There were 90 finishers in this event that was held to raise money for various Rotary projects. Many Rotarians volunteered their time by serving as course marshals. Race director Chris Northrup did another fine job as the race went off quite smoothly despite the intermittent rain. Thanks also to the Shenandaoh Valley Runners Club Web Master Karsten Brown for supplying his usual prompt results.