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Saturday, October 27, 2001 -- Ravenswood, WV
Ravenswood Octoberfest 5K (iPO Event Id#: 4649)
Story and photos by Ariana Kincaid

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2]

Cold
Yep, just a little on the chilly side
The Ravenswood Octoberfest 5k was inaugurated by twenty hale and hardy souls in the parking lot of the new Citizen's First Bank. Runners ran almost to Ohio and back again, in the windy, just-above-freezing morning -- 37 degrees without factoring for the wind chill! But a good time was had by all in the fun, friendly atmostphere of Ravenswood Octoberfest, and we all warmed up in the lobby of Citizen's First Bank.

The brisk weather may have kept a few folks away, but Darren Barton of Washington, West Virginia, made a showing, making history with a time of 18:37. More than a full minute behind him was Paul Ryan of Fleming, Ohio at 19:41. And Aaron Beeler rounded out the top three with 20:07.

Stretch
A smart stretch before the morning 5K
Monica Vannest of Ravenswood was the first female finisher, in 20:27, and the fourth place finisher overall. Leslie Thomas of Murraysville, West Virginia, finished second for the females with a time of 22:30, and eleventh overall -- and congratulations to Leslie for finishing the Columbus Marathon in a time that qualified her for the Boston Marathon! Third place for the women was Beth Ely, with a time of 24:40 -- Beth is also from Ravenswood.

Ben Wise, the youngest competitor in the event, finished fifth overall with a time of 20:44.

The finish
Heading for the finish line
John Mason, of Columbia, South Carolina, traveled the farthest to compete, and finished twelfth overall with a time of 23:50.

Special thanks to race organizer Luke Schindler, race sponsors Citizen's First Bank, McDonald's, and Star Plastics, and volunteers and helpers Tom Lookabaugh (President & CEO of Citizen's First Bank), Scott Miller, Jill Lookabaugh, Bill Schindler, Lori King, Lori Bradley, Terri Miller, and Dennis Weekley. Special thanks also to Ravenswood Police and Fire Departments, and Jackson County EMS.