Saturday, May 4, 2002 -- Charleston, WV
Komen West Virginia Race for the Cure (iPO Event Id#: 5052)
Story and photos by Ariana Kincaid

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Awards]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5]
[Set 6] [Set 7] [Set 8] [Set 9] [Set 10] [Set 11] [Set 12]
[2001 Event Coverage]

Crowding the streets for a cure

The second annual West Virginia Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure drew over two thousand people to the campus of the State Capitol and the weather cooperated with the festivities. Although it was a little chilly early on, it warmed to just right for the race, and the skies stayed clear until after the winners were announced.

The air was festive, with many corporate sponsors giving away freebies at their tents - water bottles, bandanas, stickers, pink ribbons in all shapes, sizes, and incarnations, American flags, even massages. And there was a jupiter jump, balloons and other fun activities for the kids who came out to support the folks.

Given the cause for which so many came to support - breast cancer research - the big winners of the day were those who have beaten breast cancer, and you could tell them by the bright pink t-shirts that they wore. From the Survivors' Tent, to the special raffles for survivors, to the pink signs people wore "In Memory of" or "In Celebration of" someone they knew who was diagnosed with breast cancer, reminders were everywhere that this was a bittersweet day for many.

Having fun at the State Capitol

The flat, fast course was a scenic one, starting at the State Capitol, winding its way down stately Kanawha Boulevard, to the turnaround at the South Side Bridge, and back. All four lanes of the Boulevard were closed to its typical traffic as the runners and walkers filled its lanes to capacity.

There were two categories of breast cancer survivors running the 5k, masters and sub-masters. Coming in first overall for the survivors and the first place Masters survivor was Yoko Pepera of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who has run the Race for the Cure in all 50 states. Second place Masters was Patricia Shaffer, and third place went to Jo Lane. In the sub-Masters category of breast cancer survivors, Deborah McHenry came in first, with Peggy Pope and Margaret Gross filling in the top three, respectively.

The overall winner of the open race was last year's winner and perennial favorite Larry Taylor. Following in the wake of Taylor's infamous yellow shoes were Glen Baldwin and Robert Boston. The top female finisher was Sue Baldwin, followed by Kelly McGraw, and last year's top female finisher, Connie Young.

Getting the whole family involved

The festive yet thoughtful mood of the day was bolstered by Natalie Tennant of WCHS TV8, greeting and announcing individual racers and teams as they crossed the finish line. The Biggest Fundraiser Award went to the Ticketmaster team. Murad's won the Best T-Shirt Award.

Joyce Williams was given the Most Spirit Award, for her efforts in getting six teams to sign up for the race - way to go Joyce! Most Creative was Mountain State Blue Cross/Blue Shield, for bringing the pink balloons to hand out to children. And the Largest Team Award went to Kelly's Krew.

Special thanks to Kathleen Walker, Dave Walker, Susan Murray, and the hundreds of volunteers, survivors, supporters, runners and walkers who made this day such a huge success.