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Saturday, September 12, 1998 -- Morgantown
September Stride 5K

[More Pictures] [Run Results] [Walk Results]

DiannCheri
Diann Murray(R) and Cheri Tuckehannah(L) vie for Top Dog (Walker)
An unexpectedly large crowd of over 300 runners and walkers came out to race in the September Stride 5K, the Saturday morning of September 12th. None of the participants, including the serious racers, dog walkers, and parents pushing children in strollers, were disappointed as they were treated to beautiful weather and a fast course. The wide open route consisted of two laps around West Virginia University's Mountaineer Field and the parking lots of Ruby Memorial Hospital.

MarkVilardo
Mark Vilardo finishes with the sun on his back and no one over his shoulder
Soon after the race began, Mark Vilardo established himself as the man to beat. Suffice to say that no one did, as Vilardo clocked sub 5-minute miles to finish the race in a blistering 15:15, a pace of 4:54 per mile. His finishing time was just four seconds of the course record of 15:11 set by Mike Dudley in 1997. A full minute back, taking second place, was Richard Secrest (16:15), with Ed Frohnapfel (16:36) crossing the finish in third.

In the women's race, it was a competition between running partners Heather Bury and Charity Wachera. Pushing each other most of the race, Wachera was able to finish in 17:35 (9th overall), over a minute and a half faster than the previous course record of 19:10 set by Julie Warner in 1997. But that was only good enough for second! Bury covered the 3.1 miles in 17:25 (8th overall) to set the new course record and take honors for the fastest female . Nicole Branik also had a nice race finishing in 19:13 (12th overall) to take third place.

RobinNorman
Robin Norman, have child, will race

In the 5K Fun walk, Debbie Goss showed no sympathy as she finished in just 31:07, four minutes faster than the next competitor. Second place, with a time of 35:08 (1st Male), was 60 year-old Carmello Tabone. Two generations younger, and finishing in third overall, was 15 year-old Paul Cupen in 35:51 (2nd Male).

The proceeds from the September Stride, which is held in memory of Richard "Rick" Rosenbaum, are donated to a memorial fund set up in his name. This fund is used to help children who have pulmonary problems and are in need of assistance. The event is made possible by the hard work of many volunteers and the support provided by Huntington Banks, Marriott, West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc. and others.