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Sunday, May 25, 2008 -- Point Marion, PA
Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K - MAGP Sprint #6 (iPO Event Id#: 10759)

[Details] [Coverage] [Photos] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Coverage: [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005] [2006] [2007]

Photo by Don Parks
Ken Frankenberry runs in the 2001 Albert Gallatin 5K
In Memory of "Kenny"

Article and photos by Julie Black

For many years, proceeds from the annual Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K have been dedicated to Ken Frankenberry, a Point Marion resident and long time member of the WV Track Club afflicted with Lou Gehrig disease: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). On the afternoon of April 29, 2008, Kenny lost his battle with the disease.

On the registration table a framed photo read, "In Memory of Kenny" (view the photo). The race proceeds were given to his wife Lesa and their daughters Rachel, Kim, and Elizabeth. Kenny's friends and family volunteered and participated in the race in his honor.

The course was the same as it's been in the past, some rolling sections with mostly flat stretches along the river. The paved, rather busy roads were controlled by Veterans and volunteers.

Point Marion's old rusty bridge was crossed twice. By 2009, racers will cross a new bridge with more room and less character than the old beams I'm sure.

Taking pictures on the old bridge can be challenge. Steadying the lens as motorcycles roar by with runners and vehicles passing in all directions is quite a thrill.

Photo by Julie Black
Girls on the Run of Mon County
Over 150 participants ran and walked the 3.1-mile route on the sunny Memorial Day weekend. This included more than 15 young ladies from the Girls on the Run - West Virginia group. Council Director, Laurie Abildso, Head Coach and local on-air personality celeb Meghan Durst of 102 WVAQ, and some assistant coaches helped much of the group complete their first 5K run. You go girls!

The first runner caught me completely off guard, emerging on the outside of the towering beams lit by the late day sun.

After I took the "too close" shot, my digital camera playback revealed that it was Adam Frohnapfel breezing past me.

Routinely seen running along side of his father Ed, 16-year old Adam Frohnapfel is a University High Varsity Cross Country and Track star in Morgantown, WV.

His name shows up in print on many season openers and invitational running events. In March, Frohnapfel took home second at the Grafton 5-Mile Run and on Sunday he came in first, far ahead of the field, finishing in 17 minutes and 15 seconds.

Photo by Julie Black
Memorial Day flags fly
Murshid Latif, 49, may have lost the Sprint Series points lead after missing the Cheat Festival 5K in May, but he still continues to be a top ten competitor.

Latif is second overall in the Endurance Standings and ranks in at 7th in the Sprint Points Series. He finished an impressive 2nd overall in Point Marion with a time of 17:47.

Travis Cyphert, 23, has finished 3rd overall in the last two MAGP races. This includes his 17:55, 3rd place finish at Albert Gallatin.

In the race for the women's top spot it was no surprise for me to see Heather Parks hit the bridge first. Just a few months after the baby ("back from birth" that is), Parks, sponsored by Saucony and iPlayOutside, finished 8th overall and 1st for the women with a time of 19:27.

Jennifer Sirockman, 18, of Masontown WV took 2nd in 19:57. Like Frohnapfel, Sirockman is also a University High School runner. She ran a 5:26.94 in the 1600m at West Virginia State T&F Championships, placing 9th on May 17.

Photo by Julie Black
Kiss the cook?
In 3rd was local Point Marion runner, Holly Whoolery (20:21).

After the race, friends, family, and racers gathered at the Point Marion Community Park Pavilion for a Memorial Day cook-out.

Prizes were awarded and the park's bustling activities complete with small festival and playground, were enjoyed.


The next two races to come in the 2008 Morgantown Area Grand Prix Series Presented by Dynamic Physical Therapy are Endurance Events:

Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon-MAGP Endurance #3, Morgantown, WV Saturday, June 7, 2008

Run to Read 15K-MAGP Endurance #4, Fairmont, WV Saturday, June 21, 2008