Sunday, August 29, 1999 -- Morgantown
2nd Annual Run With the Law 5K
Story & photos by Julie Bertsch

[Coverage] [Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [Pic Set 4]

Our Future West Virginia Troopers

The troops were lined up on a sunny, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, but not just to practice what they have learned in the academy. They lined up to watch, and participate in the 2nd Annual Run with the Law 5K Race! People crowded the sides of the road as Lacy Neff from 102 WVAQ got the crowd pumped up, and encouraged them to cheer on the runners. The fairly flat course started at Camp Dawson, wound it's way past the country club, and then along the Cheat River to finally return to Camp Dawson. The race, only in it's second year, benefits the West Virginia Chapter of National Academy Graduates.

Yannick Perrette keeps his lead

As 160 people gathered together for the start, Race Director Randy Proctor, made sure everyone understood the rules. The signal was given, and the runners were off! Into the first two miles, the pack hung tightly together until Yannick Perrette made his move. "I stayed with the pack because I usually get in front too soon," said Perrette, "In mile 2, I pulled ahead and I was hoping that I was far enough ahead. I've been injured most of the year." Despite Perrette's old injuries, they certainly weren't an issue on Sunday. He stayed 20 seconds ahead in the last mile to finish 1st Overall with a time of 16:25.

Winner of the Benedum Festival 5K, Kenny Beerbower is no stranger to the tough 5K competition in West Virginia. Although Beerbower's time was faster than his first place time in the Benedum race, his time of 16:42 in the Run with the Law 5K earned him 2nd Place Overall. Not bad for someone's who's only 15 years old! We expect to see alot more of Beerbower in the future. Finishing 3rd Overall was Murshid Latif, who is in the Masters class. Latif finished 8 seconds behind Beerbower with a time of 16:50.

Sara Walker keeps her strategy in mind, and her strides in line

The Women's race for first place was not as close. Third Place Overall winner of the Women's Distance Festival 5K, Sara Walker (19:01) had some running strategy in her corner. "The first 1/2 mile into it, I passed quite a few people," said Walker, "I was trying to "draft" some men in front of me. It helped me to pace myself." Walker took home the Women's 1st Place Overall trophy.

There was a close battle for second as Julie Warner and Heather McDaniel rounded the last turn. Warner managed to keep ahead of McDaniel only by a second, to finish with a time of 19:44 to capture 2nd Place for the Women's Category. Heather McDaniel really had a strong finish with a time of 19:45!

Dennis Pierson & Derek Clark are happy to be on WVOutside!

After the race was over, everyone gathered in front of the Coca-Cola Boom Box for the awards ceremony. Drinks and fruit were plentiful, as well as smiles. Special thanks goes out to John D. May and the Morgantown Road Runners/W.V.T.C for the excellent job they did with results, to Race Director, Randy Proctor for putting on such a great race, and to Lacy Neff from 102 WVAQ for the honorable mention. We'll see you there next year!