Saturday, August 2, 2003 -- Nutter Fort, WV
5th Annual Blackberry Festival 5K Run (CARS #10) (iPO Event Id#: 5532) Story and photos by E.J. Linger

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6] [Set 7]
[1999 Coverage] [2000 Coverage] [2001 Coverage] [2002 Results]

Off and running at the 2003 Blackberry Festival

On a hot and humid Saturday morning in Nutter Fort, West Virginia, the 5th Annual Blackberry Festival 5K Run (CARS #10) took place. The Blackberry Festival run is a relatively flat and fast two loop course. This is a great race to set a Personal Record (PR).

At 8:30 a.m., the 138 racers took off on the first loop of the course. Coming through the first circuit in the lead pack was Murshid Latif, Josh Wagner, and Josh Weekly. These guys were clearly out in front as the contenders for the win.

A three-way race after lap 1

In the end the 44 year-old Latif pulled away from his younger rivals for the win with a time of 16:44. The battle for second place came down to a sprint to the finish between the two Joshs.

In the end, 17 year-old Wagner nabbed second with a time of 16:56. Thirty year-old Weekly settled for third with a time of 16:57.

As for the women, Jessica Huff led through out the race and finish first with a time of 19:23. Coming in second place was the West Virginia State High School champ from Doddridge County High School, Clara Grandt, with a time of 19:50.

Racing in the festival colors

Rounding out the top three was University High School graduate, Nichole Dorinzi, with a time of 19:53. She was running with her training partner/coach, Bob Baker.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Blackberry Festival 5K Run, the event turned out great! After the race, the runners had plenty of time to get ready to enjoy the day's activities, and plenty of delicious Blackberries, at the festival.