Fans crowd the 12-and-Under finish waiting for their favorite runners

Friday, May 22, 1998, Wheeling
Big Boy Mile

Eric Putnam, of Athens, Ohio, won the Elby's Big Boy Mile in 3:50.49, less than 4 seconds off the course record of 3:46.54. The 25-year-old, former Ohio University runner, modestly claimed that the Big Boy Mile "has to be the fastest mile course in the nation." The first female finsisher was J. Brooke, 34, at 4:44.89. View the complete results and finishing times on the Runner's High Page.

Don't you love the great feeling of finishing a race?

Well, watching all the Big Boys (and Girls) was entertaining, but it is always the kids who steal the show. In the 12-and-Under Fun Run Mile, 11-year-old Jarret Pelley crossed the line first for the boys in 6:19. First for the girls was Sarah VanKirk, 9, with a time of 6:42.

Taking a little more casual approach to the whole mile were the participants in the Charity Mile Health Walk. First to complete the trek was Zach Foster, 10, of Shadyside. The first female finisher was Aspen Matlock of West Alexander, Pa.

All the racers deserve some congrats for for a job well done

Zach would be more than happy to tell you about his walk