Saturday, June 17, 2006 -- Charleston, WV
Run for Your Life 5 Miler (iPO Event Id#: 7447)

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [Pic Set 4]
Past Coverage: [2004] [2005]

Story and photos by George Gannon

Hey, where's the chili?

Saturday in the Capital City saw some hot runners, some hot salsa, some hotter chili and some absolutely scorching temperatures. But the hottest heat at the Run for You Life 5 Miler came from the burning soles of Brooks Crislip's running shoes. For the 26-year-old phenom, this is second week in a row where he's taken top honors at Charleston race.

Each time, he's done it with a dose of high drama.

At last week's Run With a Cop 5K, he and Chuck Dent set a torrid pace for the finish line. On Saturday, Crislip followed Adam Coon for most of the race, but he had enough at the end to pass him about a quarter mile before the finish line.

Racing into the sun

Coon got out fast and was in front for most of the race, leading the 132 runners through downtown Charleston and up the grueling incline that is Farnsworth Drive. The course circles around the historic Spring Hill Cemetery and drops back down into the city.

It was on that downhill stretch where Crislip overtook Coon.

"I held back a little on the uphill, hoping I'd have a little bit left for the finish line," Crislip said. He crossed the line in 28:24, and Coon was just off the pace at 28:38. Bryan Harvey (29:34) rounded out the top three.

Ready for my close-up

For the women, Kelly McGraw took top honors. McGraw successfully defended her title as the women's champion from last year's race with a time of 33:52. It's no surprise, when asked what she thought about the hill, she simply responded, "It's not that bad."

Susan Baldwin (38:14) took second for the ladies, and Carrie Nyden (35:34) dropped in at third.

The money raised at the event goes to benefit Kanawha County's Hospice Care in memory of Jody Jividen - one of the finest sportswriters and best people to ever come out of the Kanawha Valley.