Tuesday, April 27, 1999 -- Athens
David S. Roth Memorial 5K Run/Walk
Story and Photos by Marty Lamp

[Coverage] [Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2]

(L-R)Brian Porter, Jason Wall, and Aaron Phillips didn't mind the rain.

So, do runners still race if it's raining? Let's put it this way, they aren't made of sugar, and they definitely aren't afraid of getting wet. When WVOutside pulled into the lovely Concord College Campus on Tuesday, April 27th, for the David S. Roth Memorial 5K Run/Walk, we didn't see anyone wearing running shorts hanging around the starting area, or the tell-tale joggers getting warmed up before the race, all that we did see was buckets of rain coming down. Then, right at start time, a long line of runners emerge from the Centennial Hall Lobby wearing their excitement like little kids given permission to go play in the rain.

Sharon Ofsa was happy to go for a little walk.

The racers ran a course that started on the track, rolled through the gentle hills of Athens, then ended on the track. From the very beginning, Jason Wall(16:35) took the lead, and never gave it up. The battle was for 2nd place between Brian Porter(17:13) and Aaron Phillips(17:16), who stayed close to each other all the way to the finish. Holly Wall(21:26) was the first female to cross the finish line, with Sarah Matlage(22:02) keeping close. For the walkers, it was Robert Craft(40:45) taking the checkered flag.

This race is a memorial to the late Dr. David S. Roth, who was a faculty member in the Division of Languages and Literature for 17 years. He ended his courageous battle against cancer in 1986. Dr. Roth was very active in the Athletic Department, serving as statistician, reporter, and announcer at football games. Thanks must go out to Dr. Roger Sheppard, the Student Government Association, and the Concord College Track Team for all their effort in making it happen.