Saturday, October 30, 1999 -- Kanawha State Forest, Charleston
Great Pumpkin 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk
Story and photos by Marty Lamp

[Coverage] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class] [Walkers]

Getting things started in Charleston

It was a beautiful day in Kanawha State Forest for the 7th Annual Great Pumpkin 5K. Although no clouds were in the sky, the air was chilly as the sun was just making it over the mountain tops for the 9am start, and a misty fog evaporated from the valley floor. The trees continued to give their show, with leaves glowing in reds, oranges, and yellows.

The course started in the swimming pool area, and once out to the Kanawha Forest access road, everyone turned right, heading towards the north entrance. Runners were able to enjoy a relatively flat course out to the entrance and back, finishing where they started.

Jared Smith winning the Great Pumpkin 5K

Jumping out to the front right from the beginning was Jared Smith(16:36). Smith averaged a 5:21 per mile pace as he raced to the first place finish. Less than a minute back, Aaron Kaylor(17:22) finished second overall, and 27 seconds faster than his time last year. Right behind Kaylor was Duane Dombek(17:32), rounding out the top three overall finishers.

The fastest woman in the race this day was Kelly McGraw(19:05). McGraw managed a 6:09 per mile pace as she finished 1:30 ahead of second place female finisher Linda Detrick(20:35). Nikki Young(22:45) finished third in the women's division.

Sometimes, running can be scary

In a show of their Halloween spirit, many participants in the 1 mile and 3 mile walk chose to dress up in their favorite costume. After the race, they were judged for the best costume. Everyone who came out for the race can take pride in helping out the CAMC during Physical Therapy Month, plus proceeds benefited the Physical Therapy Scholarship Fund.

Thanks go out to Pat Board and Pam Anderson for doing a great job with the results, as always, and to Debora Mattingly and Manny Amores for making this race happen.