Saturday, March 29, 2003 -- St. Albans, WV
SunBridge 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk (iPO Event Id#: 5397)
Story and photos by George Gannon

[Details] [Coverage] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [2001 Event Coverage]

[Editor's Note: We have not yet received race results and hence there are a few "holes" in the story. Feel free to help us out with names or times if you happen to be "in the know".]

Rushing out into the rain

If April showers bring the proverbial May flowers, a little late March rain shouldn't be so bad. The runners and walkers in St. Albans didn't seem to mind as they hit the streets for the SunBridge 5K. And who knows, maybe being in a bit of a rush to get in out of the rain could be a benefit.

Brent Garrett and David Kline were in quite the rush after the race started without them. "I was just talking to (Kline) and the race started," Garrett said of his seemingly inauspicious beginnings.

Garrett, a Charleston native and red-shirt freshman on Marshall University's track team, didn't let his loquacious nature, or a blast of chilly spring rain, stop him from winning the race.

Finishing strong in St. Albans

The pack got out fast, and for the first mile, Garrett was in the mix, but did not set himself out. As the racers got deeper into one of the most popular courses in Kanawha County, Garrett and Kline began to separate themselves.

However, (the third place finisher) was not going to let either one get to the finish line without a fight. After a brief length in front, (third) dropped back and Garrett and Kline were in a two-man race to the finish line.

Although Kline was pushing, Garrett brought the fury on the road race's final stretch and took the top spot.

Holly Rooper kicks down the stretch

For the women, course veteran Kelly McGraw took the top spot. The story in the women's ranks was second place finisher Holly Rooper. Only 12-years-old, Rooper's number two finish was her first top-3 spot in a road race.

Rounding out the top three was Robin (formerly Young, but recently married).

March showers might have made for some wet runners, but, rain or shine, they were all on time at the finish line.