Saturday, May 22, 1999 -- Fairmont
Seth Fest 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run
Story & Pictures by Julie Bertsch

[Coverage/Recap] [Pics Set 1] [Pics Set 2] [Pics Set 3]
[Overall Results] [By Class]

Stephen Hiser taking great strides to finish 1st overall

In this day and age, where guns are so prevalent in our schools, and teens express their feelings of isolation with violence, it is amazing to see so many young adults and parents pull together to create a festival in memory of one young man. That young man was Seth Burton, an active teen leader who loved to run on his school's championship cross-country team. He died last October, in a car accident on his way to a race. To honor Seth and all that he loved, his parents, peers, and many friends held "Seth Fest," a combination Festival of Music and a 5K Run, Walk, and 1 Mile Fun Run.

Registration was exciting as many teens lined up to enter the 5K Run. The music of The Doors filled the air, and vendors of all kinds, selling everything from pottery to hot dogs, set up their booths for the festival. There was even a memorial table, which had pictures of Seth, and a book that friends could sign. The 5K began with a mass of young adults sprinting towards the Fairmont Bridge. Out in front, Stephen Hiser (17:50.51), kept the lead with no one close behind to finish 1st overall.

Jay Urse nips at the heels of Jonathan Wright for 2nd place

There was however, a close battle for 2nd and 3rd place. Jay Urse(18:11.16) gave Jonathan Wright(18:03.16) a run for his money, but Wright won out in the end to finish 2nd overall. The 1st place female Amanda Helms(22:32.55), finished 27th overall with many of the other female finishers 2 minutes plus behind her. With so many young adults in the race it was astonishing to see someone over the age of 18 finish in the top ten! Joe Leroy(19:30.93) held his own by finishing 6th overall and at the top of the Male 45 plus age group.

Jenny Helmick, Rachel Stevenski, Jessica Schneider, and Sarah Corley

After the 5K Run, Walk, and 1 Mile Fun Run was over the festivities began. Lots of frisbee throwing and foot stomping was going on with some great bands on stage such as, The Creek, Cheap Trucker Speed, and many, many, more. Friends were laughing, parents were talking, and people were just having a good time. All of the proceeds from the events went to the Seth Burton Memorial Fund Teen Center called, "Our Place." A place where in the future, teens will be able to go to be involved in their own agenda, yet under the supervision of a caring adult. It wasn't hard to see that the young man this was all being done for was a very special person, who inspired everyone he seemed to come in touch with, Seth Burton.