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Saturday, April 4, 2009 -- Morgantown, WV
Healthsouth (Mountainview) 1160 Van Voorhis Road
Healthsouth Cranium Crawl 5K Run & Walk (iPO Event Id#: 11731)

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

First Annual Race Success for Healthsouth

Photos by Maria af Rolen with story by Jason Chastain

Healthsouth Cranium Crawl Photo by Maria af Rolen
Reason to celebrate on a Saturday
With a great turnout of over 140 racers and degrees in the high 40's (perhaps low 50's) this year's Healthsouth Cranium Crawl 5K Run & Walk got off to a windy start! A local runner, Mandy, said, "At least there's no snow."

Almost every participant said the course was tough due to the strong (and chilly) headwind. Kanjo, a Physical Therapist racing with friends, said, "I had a slightly slower time than my usual due to the blustery conditions."

Several students from West Virginia University (WVU) participated, including some of Professor Teressa Barrett's class. Michael and Carlee said they were even able to pre-register for the event in her class.

Many current and former patients of Healthsouth also participated. For example, Brandon Bradly and Brian Wellar participated in the race with friends and family while Ashley Shackleford helped out by pulling names to determine the winner of the various prizes that were donated.

One rowdy group of kids (Lakisha, Tashala, Shatra and Takaleb) rooted for their mom Tammy who was running in the race.

Despite the strong winter-like gusts, Noah Brak of Canfield, Ohio held a sub 18 minute time finishing 1st overall with a 17:43. Heather Parks of Bruceton Mills, WV claimed the first female spot and 2nd overall with a time of 18:44. Local, Joey Swearingen, finished 3rd in 20:36.

Healthsouth Cranium Crawl Photo by Maria af Rolen
Sprinting near the end
Another local, Rebecca White (21:39), kicked it in to be the 2nd woman across while Alyssa Anderson claimed 3rd in 22:14.

Keith Bailey (37:47) of Morgantown, WV walked his way to the front to be the first of 70 walkers. Tracy Rice (38:51) was the 1st female walker and the 3rd overall.

After all of the runners and walkers had finished, Panera Bread had a free assortment of bagels, bread and drinks on hand for anyone that needed to reload some of the carbs they burned off during the race.

And not to be outdone, at least two doggies ran the race as well . . . Puddles and Elroy.

A great time was had by all and everyone seemed really happy to be donating their time and efforts for such a good cause.


HealthSouth MountainView Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is a 96-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital located on two campuses with one outpatient therapy satellite. The main hospital is located in the heart of Morgantown, WV, and houses 80 beds in a state-of-the-art setting and offers the latest inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation technology.