Saturday, April 29, 2000 -- Petersburg, WV
Spring Mountain 5K/10K
Story and photos by Don Parks

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2]
[1999 Coverage]

Yep, they were having fun in the streets of Petersburg

A beautiful spring day greeted a host of runners and walkers as they got ready for the Spring Mountain run and walk. The run is just one part of the annual Petersburg Spring Mountain Festival, and even the reigning Little Miss Spring Mountain Festival, Hannah Ludwick, was in attendance.

Starting in three heats beginning with the 10K runners, followed by the 5K runners, and then the walkers, the fun got underway just after 10:00am. The streets of Petersburg presented enough rolling hills to make the course challenging, but nothing too difficult.

Peter Adams has a little "Spring" in his step

In the 5K run, it was Helen Hiser who held the advantage for most of the race. However, as Ron Martino chased her through the area neighborhoods and on toward the finish, he benefited from her misfortune. It seems that Hiser caught a glimpse of the wrong course markings and missed the second to last turn before the finish. With Martino now running in front, it was just a matter of fending off Sarah Forbes, who was just off his heels.

At the finish it was Martino taking the win in 21:39 with Forbes taking second overall, and first among the women, in 21:49. Hiser's error had her running a much longer route then the intended 5K. She eventually found her way to the finish, and still in high spirits. It seems that it was hard to get too discouraged on such a gorgeous morning.

Betsy and Hawk get in some training for the "Dog" Days of summer

In the 10K competition it was Ben Foy who dashed out to the local airport and back with no one able to keep up his pace. He found his way back to the start finish at Petersburg Elementary in 42:52. His closest rival, Dan Kimble, arrived at 49:17 to take second overall. The first female to complete the 6.1 miles was Susan Hill, in a time of 54:22.

As all the runners were tearing up and down the streets, a great parade of non-competitive walkers, babies in strollers, kids and even a dog, meandered their way through the 5K course. And why not start your Saturday morning off with 3.1 miles of exercise? Why then you'll have earned yourself all the treats that come with the rest of the festivities at the Spring Mountain Festival. If you missed it this year, Petersburg sure hopes you'll come out and enjoy all the fun next year.