Saturday, September 30, 2006 -- Morgantown, WV
Links to Lake 5K - MAGP #14 (iPO Event Id#: 7439)

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class] [Photos]
Past Coverage: [1998] [1999]

Story and photos by JR Petsko

Danny Fink strides his way through the cold

Fall hit early this past weekend at the Links to Lake 5k, round # 14 of the Morgantown Area Grand Prix. Runners and walkers where welcomed to Lakeview Resort with light rain, a chilly forty-five degrees, and wind that put a chill in your bones. Still, the weather didn't stop anyone from tackling the course that lay before them. In fact, over 100 participants signed up to take part in the event.

Maybe the good turn out had something to do with the great cause that benefited from the race. All proceeds went to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

From the gun, Danny Fink of Morgantown was out front. Having no problems with the less then perfect weather conditions, Fink ran in top form. At the half way marker, Fink was followed by Brad Herrington. Herrington made the trip down from Connellsville, PA. Rounding out the lead pack was Jim Cummings of Mannington WV, and Mark Offutt of Fairmont, WV.

In the end, the victory belonged to Danny Fink who finished in 16:26.79, an impressive victory to say the least. Second overall in the mens field was Herrington, finishing with a very respectable time of 17:57.19. Third overall would be down to the wire, with both Cummings and Offutt vying for the position. At the line it was Cummings taking the third position five seconds ahead of Offutt.

Happy to help out at the Links to Lake

The womens overall side of the race would be much closer. Emma Hunter of Morgantown ran her heart out and beat Paula Bridges of Lavale, MD by ten. Hunter crossed the line for the victory in 21:09.03, and Bridges in 21:19.47 for second. Finishing third for the women with a great time of her own was Candy Hawks of Morgantown in 21:56.16.

The 5K Walk was an all Morgantown field except for Carol Harvey who made the trip up from Grafton for the race. Taking the overall win, male walker Ken Ashton, finished with a time of 35:07.54. Ashton was followed by Mustafa Nomani in second place with a time of 44:57.37. For the women it was Kim Bailey taking the women 5K walk victory in 38:45.88. In second overall for the women was Karen Wang finishing in 42:21.46.

Despite the chilly day everyone who loves being outside made the best of it. It was a great race and racecourse. That was the consensus throughout the field of runners and walkers.