Saturday, June 14, 2008 -- Charleston, WV / Behind CAMC Memorial Hosp.
Run with a Cop (iPO Event Id#: 10897)

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No Keeping Up with This Teen

Story and photos by George Gannon

Strike a pose

If the police ever try to keep up with Makayla Shamblin, they'll have a pretty daunting task. At Saturday's Run With A Cop 5K in Charleston, Shamblin, 13, outran just about everybody.

Quickly becoming a staple of the Charleston running scene, the race sneaks through Kanawha City on a flat, fast course. Shamblin, an up and comer in the Wapiti Runners, got out fast and never looked back.

"It was a good race," said the diminutive racer following the competition.

Shamblin was ahead for most of the race and managed to distance herself from everyone else shortly after everyone got out of the gate.

Shamblin (21.21) finished 19th overall, followed closely by Diana Johnson (21.49) and Caitlyn Nelson (22.55).

For the men, Adam Coon took top honors.

Coon crossed the finish line first with a time of 17.19. Coming in second was Glen Baldwin of South Charleston (18.11). Rounding out the top three was Chase Nelson (18.26)

To all my fans

The top cops were Don Peal (23.17), Erik Eskew (24.44) and Mike Pridemore. However, I don’t like their chances if they ever got in a foot race with Shamblin.

In addition to a great race, the event also raised plenty of money for a great cause, with proceeded going to the Special Olympics.

Don't miss the next featured Charleston Area race, the Independence 5K Run/Walk Presented by Charleston Parks and Recreation.

Starting at 7:00 pm, racers will head out from Haddad Riverfront Park and follow Kanawha Boulevard which runs along the Kanawha River. Then they'll race towards the State Capitol, and finally turning around at Greenbrier Street.