Saturday, July 3, 1999 -- Morgantown
Spirit & Breath Challenge 5K/10K, 1 Mile Run
Story by Don Parks with photos by Lew McGrath

[Coverage/Recap] Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4]
Results: [10K Overall] [10K by Class] [5K Overall] [5K by Class]
[5K Walk Overall] [5K Walk by Class] [1 Mile]

The Normans enjoy a family outing at the races

The first Spirit & Breath Challenge, formerly the BOPARC Freedom Challenge, had a wonderful outpouring of support for a race with an important cause - lung cancer treatment and prevention. Well over 300 participants, along with friends, families, and many great volunteers, endured scorching heat on Saturday morning, July 3rd, to help lend a hand and to enjoy some running and walking. With a 10K and 5K run, a 5K walk and a 1 Mile run, there was a little something for everyone.

The 10K course is a challenging loop from Morgantown's White Park, through the neighborhoods of First Ward and South Park, then on to Marilla Park before heading back toward the finish. Throw in a few nice hills, a big dose of heat and humidity, and you have a serious 6.2 miles.

Vinnie Monseau speeds to the 10K title

When it came to racing the 10K, Ed Frohnapfel was back after dominating the previous year's event with a 34:33 winning time. However, this year there was some competition, Vinnie Monseau and John Reynolds would be gunning for the top spot.

Racing through the morning's punishing weather wasn't going to allow any course records, and Frohnapfel found the finish this year in 36:48, still good enough for third overall. Taking first was Monseau, alone at the front, with a time of 35:56. Reynolds squeezed between the two to take second overall in 36:29.

Among the women's 10K competitors, 1998 MAGP Series champion Julie Warner (45:11) took the win over Angie Garlowich (45:37) with Jennifer Robertson (47:25) taking third.

Sarah Corley fights the final hill in the 5K

Another 1998 MAGP Series Champion in Kenny Beerbower flexed his muscles in the Spirit & Breath 5K distance. This short course still kept a few hills as it ventured through the White Park and First Ward portions of the route. Beerbower's winning time of 17:32 proved to be plenty with only two more sub 18-minute times recorded. Jonathan Wright crossed the line to take second at 17:48 with Dan Schwarz close behind at 17:55 for third.

The women racing in the 5K were led to the finish by Sarah Corley (20:30) who finished an impressive 9th overall, out of a total field of 150 runners. Second place was earned by Ryann Metheny (21:37) with Heather McDaniel (22:22) earning third place honors.

Seven year-old Thomas McNicol sprints to the mile finish

If you didn't want to sweat it out with three or six-plus miles of running, you could always opt for the 5K walk or the 1 Mile race. There was still some serious motoring going on as Ken Ashton displayed some quick feet to finishing first in the walk at just 33:51. Tabone Carmello (36:08) was second to the line with Peggy Thomas (37:59) taking third and Lisa Little (38:46) taking fourth, the first and second female finishers, respectively.

The mile race was particularly popular with youngsters as 10 year-old Tyler Berryman (6:49) out sprinted his 12 year-old sister Claire Berryman (6:50) at the finish for first overall. Claire still took home first overall female honors. Many more kids of all ages, three year-old and up, made there way to the finish to a delighted crowd.

A superbly marked course, plenty of awards, door prizes and refreshments, and some generous volunteer support made for some fun in the sun. It was a sure way to ensure continued growth for an already popular run. We'll see you there on July 4th weekend, 2000!