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Saturday, June 20, 2009 -- Charleston, WV / Kanawha Boulevard, Haddad Riverfront Park
Run for Your Life 5-Mile Race (iPO Event Id#: 12087)

[Details] [Coverage] [Photos] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Past Coverage: [2004] [2005] [2006] [2007]

Story and photos by George Gannon

Run for Your Life Race Start
Click the photo for more race pictures
Christine Azevedo made it three in a row on Saturday.

For the third year straight, Azevedo was the top female finisher in Run For Your Life 5-Mile Race.

The race could easily be called the Cling To Your Life 5-Mile race.

The course starts at Haddad Riverfront Park, snakes through downtown Charleston, ascends into the legendary Spring Hill Cemetery, drops back down into the city and ends near the Kanawha County Courthouse on Court Street.

However, that description belies the intensity of the hill. It's literally straight up. Quite a few of the estimated 100 entrants were slowed to the point of walking because of the incline.

But the ascent to the sky doesn't bother Azevedo. In fact, she says it's the best part of the course.

"It's not just another boring, straight, flat course," she said following the race.

Azevedo crossed the finish line in 39:48.85. She was followed by Mandy Musick (40:54.26) and Nicole Prince (43:26.96).

For the men, Calib Ellis took the top spot with a time of 32:28.72. Rounding out the top three were John Steadman (33:53.76) and Andrew Shaffer (34:20.12).

While there's no denying that the race is one of the Kanawha Valley's most demanding, it's also one it's most philanthropic. All entry fees go to the CAMC Foundation to support colorectal cancer awareness and screening.

Don't miss the last event in the series, the Independence 5K Run & Walk - Spring/Summer Speed Series #4 is next!