Sunday, May 25, 2003 -- Point Marion, PA
Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K (MAGP #3) (iPO Event Id#: 5584)
Story and photos by Erin O'Rielly

Past Race Coverage: [2000] [2001] [2002]

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6] [Set 7]

Killer Karen destroys field

It was a great day to race at the Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K run/walk. This is the only race that belongs to the Morgantown Area Grand Prix that is held out of the state, but Point Marion, PA is only 6 miles from Morgantown.

One hundred and fifty-seven runners and 25 walkers helped to support the Ken Frankenberry HUCB fund. The proceeds are used to help offset expenses of a long time WV Track Club member who has Lou Gehrigs Disease.

The race started from the city park, then crossed the Mon River and turned left towards the dam, with the dam parking lot the halfway mark of this race. The runners turned and retraced the course to finish just outside of the city park. The race is very deceptive making the runners think of fast times, but that is not always the case.

Taking the lead in the race early and not looking back was 21-year-old Jaron Hawkins in a time of 16:54. Has this guy been winning a lot of races lately or what!? He won by nearly 30 seconds over Masontown's Patrick Reagan. Patrick ran the course in 17:20. And, following Patrick was Brad Rippey of Bunker Hill, WV with a time of 17:33.

Heading for the Mon River

For the women's race, Karin Lockhart took control and was chasing down the top three men finishers with a time of 18:03. Besides winning the women's race, she finished fourth overall. If you do not know Karin, she was a standout runner for West Virginia University. She is currently finishing her master's at WVU.

Karin is making a name for herself in running. A month or two ago she represented Canada (her first national team) in Seoul, Korea and now is sponsored by Saucony. Today she was running a little injured, but still a great job.

Coming in second place was Jennifer Locke from Chestnut Ridge, PA with a time of 19:56. And rounding out the top three was Point Marion's own Holly Whoolery with a time of 20:16.

Terry Horn walks away with a win

For the walk, Terry Horn from Allepo, PA lit up the course with a time of 26:17. Now that's a fast time! He won by nearly five minutes over Craig Baer whose time was 31:16. For the women, Kathy Paes from Fredericktown, PA took the win and came in third overall with a time of 33:01. Gretchen Puskey came in second for the ladies with a time of 36:04. She finished fourth overall, as well.

After the race, the runners and walkers enjoyed a variety of Regatta attractions including live entertainment and fireworks. This was an enjoyable evening for the runners/walkers as well as families. Plus a great race turnout for the day after the Ogden 20K in Wheeling, WV. Thanks to everyone that put the race together and made it another success!