Sunday, April 11, 1999 -- Morgantown
Mountaineer ChalleNGe 5K

[Coverage/Recap w/Pics] [Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2]

The sun breaks out to start the ChalleNGe

Runners awakened to bouts of thunder and lightning Saturday morning, foreboding a nasty day for a run. However, the skies cleared and the day became sunny and warm. All in all, a perfect day for the Mountaineer ChalleNGe held Sunday, April 11th.

Runners flocked to Gold's Gym to line up for the race. The start was held at the corner of Walnut and University Avenue. Promptly at 1:00 the race began, proceeding over the Westover bridge and running along the scenic Monongahela River. The 5K course consisted of a pretty flat out and back loop, ending on an incline just before the Westover Bridge.

The back of a tie-dye shirt was all that could be seen of the leader. Stephen Hiser, 15, was the winner. "It was tough. That was my goal, to finish in under 17 minutes." With a time of 16.55 he squeaked in just under his goal.

WVU Air Force ROTC doing their version of a 5K

The Mountaineer ChalleNGe was organized by the Arnold Air Society, an honor society within the Air Force ROTC, and benefits Camp Dawson. The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy cadets not only organized and worked the event, but many participated themselves. A team of cadets ran as a unit singing military songs and cadences.

Jeremy Miller, one of the cadet runners, admitted they run "1-2 miles everyday and the entire group runs a mile every Friday together." He said that the race was "pretty rough, but at the same time fun."

First or last, it's the winning attitude that really counts!

The awards ceremony was held at Gold's Gym promptly after the race. Runners were able to replenish energy reserves with oranges, apples, and bagels. Door prizes were donated by various restaurants and stores in the Morgantown area. First place trophies were given in the individual age groups, and overall.

On a lighter note, Marty Eliot was given the wrong bib number at the start of the run. The number placed her in the 25-29 year-old category. Luckily, she traded it in for the correct number and proceeded to win the Female 55-59 age category. But then again, everyone who ran on this afternoon went home a winner.