Saturday, April 22, 2000 -- Elkins, WV
Ramp Festival 5K Run/Walk
Story and photos by Don Parks
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Overall Results]
[Results by Class]
[Pic Set 1]
[Pic Set 2]
[Pic Set 3]
[Pic Set 4]
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It's not the weather that counts,
it's your attitude
The
1999
Ramp 5K was somehow spared the rain they had predicted, the 10th
Annual Ramp Cook-off 5K Run & Walk wasn't so fortunate. As damp
weather prevailed throughout the morning, it seemed that many people
didn't mind. The runners, walkers and ramp chefs all came out in nice
numbers to test their talents and enjoy some fun exercise and
interesting food.
With a full array of festival vendors offering everything from funnel
cakes to hot dogs, along with plenty of entertainment, the rage on
this day is a small bulbous herb of the lily family. Although this
author hasn't actually eaten any, I'm told that ramps have a flavor
resembling onions. With a $500 first prize on the line, the culinary
skills of the many cooks are seriously put to the test.
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Jared Smith chases the leaders around Elkins City Park
Testing their legs with varying degrees of competitiveness were the
many runners and walkers. Under light rain and cool temperatures the
5K course was ready with just pride and a nice trophy on the line.
The 3.1 mile route was said to be a little long, but at least the one
big climb was only encountered once, instead of twice, as in previous
years. Basically doing two laps around the the Elkins City Park, the
first included a segment around the campus of Davis and Elkins
College. This included the one tough hill that the competitors
encountered about a 1/2 mile into the race.
The race began with Patrick Doyle and Sidney Gillespie
jumping out to take the early lead. When the leaders hit the first
hill, Doyle took control as Gillespie began to fall off the pace.
The rest of the run was all Doyle who went on to a comfortable win
in 16:58.
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Running in the rain...
kid's play for everyone
Meanwhile, the trio of
Adam Brantner,
Craig Nething and
Jared Smith were beginning to chase down Gillespie. As the
four kept it close through the next two miles, it was Brantner who
surged with a little over a half mile to the finish. Keeping up the
advantage over the final distance, Brantner took second in 17:40,
followed by Nething (17:57), Smith (18:30), and Gillespie (18:38),
respectively.
The field of women runners was dominated by Rebecca Schoonover
who took the overall title in 20:01 and was kind enough to let her
husband, Todd (20:45), finish just ahead of her. The second
fastest female time was recorded by Vera Zala (23:16) while
Chelsea Metheny (24:01) clocked the third fastest.
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Rain or shine,
it's friends to the end
As the final walkers, some striding and some meandering, made their
way to the finish, the grills and portable kitchens were at full speed
creating dishes that would soon be available for public tasting. A
little morning exercise deserves the rewards that were plentifully
available at the Elkins City Park. Rain or shine, this party serves
up some great West Virginia small town hospitality... and, yes, you
can get ramps with that.
For informaion on next year's Ramp Festival, just give a holler over
to the folks at the Elkins-Randolph County
Chamber of Commerce & CVB. And, don't forget to let them know that
WVOutside sent you!