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Sunday, April 15, 2007 -- Morgantown, WV / Krepps Park, Suncrest
Ambulance Chase 5K-MAGP Sprint #1 (iPO Event Id#: 10008)

2007: [Photos] [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Coverage: [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005] [2006]

Article and photos by Julie Black

Ambulance Chase-Photo by Julie Black
Always a good time, even in the rain
The Ambulance Chase 5K was the first event of the 10-race Morgantown Area Grand Prix (MAGP) Sprint Series. Winter-like weather showered participants with chilly rain and dreary skies. Over 130 racers from four different states warmed up to the start and the thought of that infamous post-race spread.

Stirring up some butterflies was well-known Fayetteville, WV masters runner, Larry Taylor. Seemingly better with age, Taylor was a surprise to see in these parts as he set his sights on a first place finish. With a time of 17:37 he accomplished just that. Taylor also came in an overall third in MAGP's first Endurance Series event, the Grafton 5-Miler. Could Larry be looking to sweep both MAGP Series as a top finisher? We'll have to wait and see.

Ambulance Chase-Photo by Julie Black
A gracious spread for racers
Connellsville, Pennsylvania runner Brian Suter, less than a minute behind Taylor, finished second in 18:07. Ten seconds behind him was Noah Brak of Canfield, Ohio.

Chelsa Clark of Fairmont, WV took home the women's first place prize with a time of 20:11 beating the rest of her field by more than a minute. Local Lindsey Rutheford (21:16) of Morgantown finished second, and Paula Bridges (22:01) of Lavale, Maryland took third.

After the race was over everyone gathered under the shelter of the Krepps Park pavilion for a warm fire, cool drinks, and tasty food.

The Ambulance Chase has been around since 2001. The event is hosted by the West Virginia University Law School and benefits West Virginia Senior Legal Aid.

Ambulance Chase-Photo by Julie Black
The lawyers are here, get ready
WV Virginia Senior Legal Aid is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free civil legal services and counsel to senior West Virginians age 60 and older.

They focus on economically or socially disadvantaged, disabled, and rural seniors and strive to secure justice for, and to protect the legal rights of, these needy people; to employ attorneys to assist in furthering the purposes of the organization; to engage the private bar in assisting us to further these purposes; and to be a significant elderlaw resource for all of West Virginia. If you'd like to learn more about it, please visit their website at http://www.seniorlegalaid.org/