Sunday, April 25, 1999 -- Morgantown
Get Up & Do Something Wild 5K Run/Walk
Story by Don Parks with photos by Lisa Selmon and Don Parks.

[Coverage/Recap w/Pics] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [Results]

Off and running on WVU's Evansdale Campus

West Virginia University's 1999 "SpringFest" enjoyed spectacular weather for all the festivities that ran from the 22nd through 25th of April. One of the events taking advantage of this great spring weather was the "Get Up & Do Something Wild 5K Run/Walk" held on Sunday the 25th. With the help of the WVU Dining Services, Housing & Residence Life, University Health Services, and Campus Recreation, the run/walk got underway at 11:00am on the Evansdale Campus and was free of charge to WVU students, faculty and staff (just $5 for the rest of us.) The roughly three mile course would weave and loop the participants through campus streets, foot paths, and parking lots.

Jeff Miller races to a first place finish

As the racing got underway, the first challenge was a moderate climb before reaching the parking area by the Evansdale Library. The climb did little to separate the leaders as Don Parks led a pack of about a half-dozen runners through the parking area and on to the first mile mark. Soon after this first mile, Jeff Miller moved to the lead position and slowly began to distance himself from the other front runners.

By the midpoint of the race, Parks had settled into fourth position as Jermal Derakhshan and Kimberly Doman came around to battle for second as Miller continued to build his overall lead.

Doman was content to ride Derakhshan's heels as they continued through the second half of the course. At the finish, it was Miller taking the win in 18:48. Doman (19:33), using a well timed surge in the final stretch was able to capture an impressive second overall and first place female honors. Derakhshan (19:34) crossed the line right behind to take third place overall.

Jennifer Keister celebrates spring with a 5K and a few friends

There were plenty more impressive performances as Ed Loud (33:46) out walked Samantha Jones (35:07) to win first overall in the 5K Walk. Many more smiling faces crossed the finish and were rewarded with all types of prizes and refreshments.

Enjoying such wonderful weather in it's sixth year, not to mention the hard work of so many volunteers and the generous support of numerous campus organizations and departments, there's sure to be plenty more runners and walkers getting up and getting wild on WVU's campus in future years.