Saturday, February 6, 1999 -- Kanawha City
Apollo's Winter Run 5K

[Coverage/Recap w/Pics] [Results] [1st Mile Pictures] [Finish Pictures]

Just over 3 miles to go

It was a cool and wet morning at the University of Charleston for the second running of the annual Apollo's Winter Run 5K on Saturday, February 6. The racers gathered at the starting line around 9:30am under stormy clouds that often brought a light drizzle down on the flat, winding course through the University campus and Kanawha City. But, there's something innately fun about playing outside in the rain, at least for a little while.

A smiling Matthew Pollard(L) and Andrew Tiedemann(R) race into the final turn

The competitors set out on the glistening pavement, in the morning's 40 degree temperatures, outfitted in everything from gloves and hats to shorts and tank tops. The atmosphere was exciting as the race sponsor, Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, showed up in force complete with untiring enthusiasm, good organization, and great t-shirts. With assistance from the ladies at Theta Kappa Pi sorority, it was ensured that the race would be run smoothly and there'd be a smiling face at every turn and intersection. Now, with all this good nature going into a run, rain or shine, warm or cold, everyone was guaranteed a great time.

After just a mile, no one is in sight of Michael Guinn

Speaking of great times, as the starting signal was given, Michael Guinn wasted no time in racing to the front. He continued, in what appeared to be nearly a full sprint, to run hard for the first 100 yards and into the first turn. By the end of the first mile, Quinn was timed at near a five-minute mile and no one was close.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Hopper and Jeremy Burnside had jumped out together to hold down the second and third spots while James Sturgeon and Leif Irgens took a more conservative pace for the first mile. Not long after the first mile mark, Irgens caught and passed Hopper and Burnside as Hopper was beginning to put a gap on Burnside.

Apollo, the Winter 5K mascot, guards the coveted winner's trophy

Guinn wasn't slowing as he easily took first, by over a minute and a half, with a time of 16:55. Irgens held his second place position with a finishing time of 18:35. Burnside's quick start faded slightly as he was dropped by Hopper (3rd, 19:06) and eventually passed by Sturgeon (4th, 19:28) to finish fifth with a time of 19:39.

Dominating the womens field was Connie Young with a seventh overall finish and a time of 20:07.

Everyone that participated, and all the wonderful volunteers, helped to make Apollo's Winter 5K Run a great success. Let's not forget, all this great effort was done to benefit a great cause in the Kanawha County Special Olympics. Kudos folks!