Saturday, June 19, 1999 -- Princeton
Princeton Summerfest 5K
Story & photos by Julie Bertsch

[Coverage/Recap] Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Overall Results] [By Class]

Jason Wall cruises through the park

The number one question everyone was asking before the race started was,"Where are we going to run?" A legitimate question indeed, since this year's course and location was completely different due to construction, but race director Sonny Farley made sure everyone knew where to go. "This race used to have the flattest course in West Virginia," Farley said, "the major change will be that now the runners have a hill that they have to go up, twice!" The 5K course started at the gorgeous Princeton Health & Fitness Center and wound it's way through the beautiful park nearby where the runners had to do 2 tough loops that consisted of a partially uphill path.

Holly Wall is way ahead

Jason Wall (16:04) didn't seem to to mind running uphill at all. "Last year's course was boring," said Wall, "this year's was a lot better. I loved it!" Like minds must think alike, because Jason's wife Holly Wall (20:37) had no trouble with the new course either as she left the rest behind to finish as the 1st Female. Eric Bolton (16:21) finished 2nd Overall and was only sixteen seconds behind Wall. Jeremy Bartley hung with the pack long enough to finish 3rd with a time of 17:09. Charity McDaniels (21:57) finished as the 2nd Place Female, more than a minute behind Holly Wall.

Getting faster at the finish

Race Director Sonny Farley and his "partner in crime" Shirley Aycoth, ran in their own 5K and both received trophies in their age groups! The race was part of the Willis Chiropractic Cup Road Race Series and Princeton's Summer Festival, which had everything from chili cook-offs to dog shows! Many runners went to the festival with their families after the race to enjoy the activities. The people down in Southern West Virginia sure know how to organize a great 5K, make sure if you're ever in Princeton that you get to a race!