Saturday, July 3, 2004 -- Morgantown, WV
Spirit & Breath Challenge 10K (MAGP #5) (iPO Event Id#: 6222) Story and photos by Katy Black

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6] [Set 7] [Set 8] [Set 9]

Wearing stripes and smiles

It was another blistering hot day in Morgantown on the day before America's birthday. The annual Spirit and Breath Challenge, where well over 100 racers showed up to race against lung cancer.

For over 20 years BOPARC has worked hard with the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, and sponsors to create this family fun event to raise awareness about lung cancer through education about risks and prevention. So with much excitement in the air, and the sound of a whistle the racers were off!

Racing for the finish

The course of the 10K race started in White Park on Hite Street, went through Marilla Park and the surrounding neighborhoods to end up back in White Park by the ice rink. The 5K race and 5K walk also started in White Park on Hite Street, then looped through the nearby neighborhoods, and ended up right back at the ice rink.

10K Top Finishers
Dave McCollam (33:16), held the lead for first overall. Ryan Skotnicki (35:55), kicked in a steady second, with Brandon Miles finishing third. Holly Whoolery took the women's top spot in 40:59, with Darlene Weaver and Kelly Holipsky rounding out the top spots.

The 5K Top Spots
Jake Anderson (19:22) kept a 5 second gap between himself and Josh Mulenax (19:27). With Adam Harris (20:30) crossing the line in third. Maria Stover (20:54) kept her lead, crossing the line as the first female. Kaylyn Christopher (21:17), and Amber Riley (22:05), claimed second and third.

The kids get their turn

The 1-mile run also started and ended in White Park by the ice rink. Water stops with split times were located at different mile markers for each race.

Awards for the 10K and 5K run were presented to the top three male and top three female racers in 8 different age groups, as well as the overall top three male and female finishers. 5K walk awards were given to the top two male and top two female racers in 6 different age groups, as well as the overall top two male and female finishers. Ribbons were presents to all of the 1 mile run participants, and awards were given to the top male finisher, the top female finisher, and one was given to the youngest finisher.

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For the Record... In 1999, BOPARC teamed up with the Comprehensive Lung Cancer Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and the Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education (ALCASE) to sponsor a top-notch race that supports a great cause- lung cancer treatment and prevention. More than 170,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with lung cancer every year; more than 158,000 people die from it each year- thats 18 people every hour, every day. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of both men and women, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and under recognized disease.