Sunday, December 5, 1999 -- Morgantown
Back Bay Snowflake Sprint 5K
Story and photos by Marty Lamp

Pics: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6] [Set 7]
[Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Santa was getting everyone pumped up

This time of year, non-freezing, much less warm temperatures, are welcomed graciously. On Sunday, in Krepps Park, over 350 runners and walkers took advantage of the gorgeous weather and participated in the 9th Annual Back Bay Snowflake Sprint 5K. This race serves as the finale for the Morgantown Area Grand Prix Series, and also pays out a $100 cash for anyone who can set a new course record.

Let's be honest though, there's one more reason this race is so popular; everyone knew they had great food to look forward to courtesy of Back Bay Seafood Restaurant in Morgantown. Tables full of brownies, cookies, pasta salads, soups, sandwiches, and many other refreshments waited for racers after they crossed the finish line.

Brad Mongold striding hard toward the finish

The course started and ended directly behind Krepp's Park. Runners took off behind a police escort through the residential streets of Morgantown for a maze-like 3.1 miles. Perhaps a rolling course for the most part, this race had it's share of climbs as it looped back to the start.

After the Flurry Fun Run for Kids race scampered through their 1/4 mile course, 5K runners lined up for their 2 pm start. Santa helped make sure everyone was ready, then sent them off. 5K walkers started 2 minutes later.

From the start, Mikey Guinn(16:33) jumped out in front, but by the end of the first mile, WVU Med student Bradley Mongold(16:00) took the lead on the first strenuous climb, and would remain alone in front the remainder of the race. Mongold averaged a 5:08 pace per mile enroute to the victory.

Some young fans enjoying the day

"I knew I had to get the lead as soon as I could", said Mongold afterwards, "there's not much time to mess around."

Kevin Williams(16:11) made sure that Mongold didn't get a chance to rest, and finished second overall, averaging a 5:12 pace per mile. Guinn finished third overall.

For the women, Jen Hartnett(19:41) crossed the finish line first. her 6:20 per mile pace was also fast enough for her to finish 35th overall. Maria Stover(20:26) was the second fastest female on the course this day, while Sherri Flohr(20:34) finished third. Stover and Flohr finished 45th and 47th overall, respectively.

Running hard in the kid's race

For the walkers, John Mike Nichols(29:38) got the win for the men, as Martha Marks(33:12) finished first for the women.

Thanks go out to SERJ Timing for handling the results so efficiently, and to the Morgantown Police Dept. for clearing the way for the racers. Much appreciation also goes out to race director John May for making this happen, and to Back Bay Seafood Restaurant for providing all the incredible food. Proceeds benefitted the Mountaineer Spina Bifida Camp.