Saturday, June 4, 2005 -- Kanawha City, WV
Run with a Cop 5K (iPO Event Id#: 7004)
Story and photos by Ariana Kincaid

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5]
Past Coverage: [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004]

Filling up the streets in Kanawha

Ah, the dilemma when covering the Run with a Cop for Special Olympics 5k in Charleston.  It usually happens on a gorgeous Saturday morning, slightly misty and just a little cool for the time of year.  The course is a flat, fast, out & back ... lined with rummage sales, just ripe for the picking!  Hmm.  Is there enough time between these two runners for me to dash over and check out the price on that chest of drawers?  Wait!  That runner is making her move on the runner in front of her!  Awww, man.  Duty calls.  (Yes, I'm just kidding.  My husband checked out the yard sale while I took pictures.  Then we went back to pick up his loot after the race.  Woo-hoo!) 

Sporting the Wapiti colors

The weather Saturday, June 4 was no different than most of the other Run with a Cop 5k races I've covered.  It was a refreshing misty morning, with just a hint of the heat that was promised later in the day. Threatened rain passed over without a drop.  There was a new batch of runners in this one, though. The Wapiti Runners (a wapiti is an elk, for those that aren't up on their genus/species classifications), youngsters from "up Elk," made a grand showing in their bright orange and crisp white uniforms.  Though they didn't take the overall awards, their enthusiasm was infectious.

Matthew Bright finished first overall, with a time of 17:06.  Hot on his heels was Brian Harvey, with a time of 17:08.  And third place overall went to Jared Smith, finishing at 17:15. 

Run, or stroll, with a Cop

On the women's side, Kelly McGraw surprised no one by coming in first, thirteenth overall, with a time of 19:18.  Kylie Lemmons finished 20th overall, with a time of 20:30, battling with Connie Young who was just a second behind her, and in 21st place overall.

The Beat Beethoven Symphony 5k started after the Run with a Cop completed, and used some of the same course - it was great to see the runners from the Run with a Cop cheering on those who were racing in the Symphony 5k. Good sports, all!

All proceeds go to the Kanawha County Special Olympics and the WV Law Enforcement Torch Run Fund. Special thanks to Corporal John Frazier of the Charleston Police Department, Pam Anderson, Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation, Dicks Sporting Goods, Balzout, Kroger, Coca Cola, and The City of Charleston for putting on a good race with good refreshments, great prizes and cool t-shirts.