Saturday, July 21, 2001 -- Hurricane, WV
Great Teays 5k Run and Gene Fuller 1 mile Walk (iPO Event Id#: 4124)
Story and photos by Ariana Kincaid

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

Enjoying a Saturday Run

It was a hazy day for the 26th annual Great Teays 5k Run and Gene Fuller 1-Miler, organized by the Great Teays Running Club, sponsored by Putnam County Banks, and aided by Putnam County Parks and Recreation. The course was hilly, winding through a local subdivision, but wrapped up on a straight, flat stretch of asphalt where it began, in front of the Wave Pool at Valley Park. And the locals were out in full force.

Each year, the running club gives out the Joe Varian Memorial Award to the top finishing male and female Putnam Countians. This year, both Joe Varian Award winners were also the top male and female finishers overall. Connie Young came in first for the women, twentieth overall, with a time of 21:16, and is the sister of the man for whom the award is named. Kevin Williams, who recently moved to Teays Valley, came in first overall with a time of 16:27. Top Masters finishers were David King with a time of 18:21, and Lynn Fish at 24:

Second place finisher Brent Garrett crossed the line with a time of 16:59, and mentioned the difficult course as a factor. "It was a tough course. The first turn being on grass made it hard to keep from slipping. There were lots of turns and it was hilly. And that patch of wood chips didn't help, either." The wood chips were mentioned by several runners as a particular source of agony during the last leg of the race.

No Shirts Required in the opressive humidity

Only six folks participated in the Gene Fuller Memorial One-Miler, named for a founder of the Great Teays Running club. The Milers and the 5k-ers diverged early in the race, but the Milers still wound up running through the same difficult patch of wood chips. Leading from the start, and finishing well ahead of the rest of the small pack was Erik Eskew, a teacher from St. Albans, WV, finishing at 6:57. Kristen Cottrill was the top female finisher at 8:41. The lone walker (name unavailable) announced as she approached the finish line that her only goal was to beat the first 5K runner-a goal she met, after spectators pointed out that Williams was hot on her heels, and she sprinted to the line.

The top three males and females each received engraved glass bowls, and class winners received engraved mugs for their efforts. (There were seven class awards left over; if you see your name in the class list, and you left before the awards ceremony, please call DeWayne Harless at (304) 759-0506, ext. 320 to make arrangements to receive your award.) Everyone who participated received a colorful t-shirt, designed by Ruth Heidenreich and Connie Young, as well as a pass for free admission to the Wave Pool from Putnam Parks and Recreation. (And believe me, a quick dip was welcomed by all after that race!)

Many thanks to DeWayne Harless, Winston GregoryPat Board for their assistance in compiling the results and getting them to iPlayOutside.com so quickly!