Friday, May 26, 2000 -- Wheeling, WV
Big Boy Mile & Fun Run
Story and photos by Julie Bertsch

2000: [Big Boy 20K Run] [Big Boy Mile] [Big Boy 20K Walk]
Past Coverage: [1999 20K] [1999 Mile] [1998 20K] [1998 Mile]

[Details] [Coverage] [Mile Overall Results] [Mile Results by Class]
[Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [Pic Set 4]

Jammin' with the Big Boy

It was a great way to kick-off the 24th year of the Big Boy Classic, and Memorial Day Weekend on Friday night, May 26th. The music was pumping, the sun was shining, and the kids were smiling. The mascots were dancing in the streets as the Tiny Tot Trot began, including the Big Boy himself. The pounding of tiny feet could be heard, as proud parents cheered on their children, many of them age 4 or younger. This kind of family fun continued all weekend long, with the Big Boy 20K Race on Saturday as the main attraction.

Racing in the Fun Run in the sun

The Big Boy Classic has something for everyone, including a Charity Health Walk sponsored by the Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley. The Health Walk is a fast one miler, and all proceeds benefitted the Wheeling Heart Association.

Then it was time for the annual Big Boy Fun Run. Kids 12 and under raced the last mile of the Big Boy 20K course, which was all downhill. Parents were welcome to run with their children in the non-competitive race. Many of them did, coaching their kids and giving them words of encouragement right to the finish line. The crowd was going wild, cheering on everyone.

David Bronfenbrenner barely touches the ground in the Mile

Friday night's Main Event was non other than the infamous, Big Boy Mile. Now in it's 8th year, the Mile course had runners start from the top of Wheeling Hill, and run the last mile of Big Boy 20K course. Rumor has it that the race is the fastest mile in America! The 4-minute barrier has been broken in all seven previous years.

Flying down the hill as if he was running on air was Allentown, PA native, David Bronfenbrenner. Though he did not break the course record of 3:46.54, established by Jason Bodnar, he did break the 4-minute barrier, receiving the overall win and a fast time of 3:54.82.

Stephen Hiser(4:20.75), of Morgantown was the 1st West Virginian to finish the Mile as 3rd overall.

Heather Bury turns it on just before the finish

Decked out in her usual Addidas attire, Olympic bound Heather Bury of Morgantown, WV finished 7th overall and 1st for the women with a great time of 4:30.41. When Bury was asked if she would race in the 20K race on Saturday she replied with a smile, "A 20K would tear me up! I've never ran anything longer than a 10K." Look for Bury in the Olympics as she competes in the Steeple Chase this year.

These events were only the beginning of a BIG, exciting weekend for the 2000 Big Boy Classic.

Check out last year's coverage from the Big Boy Mile & Fun Run.