The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

October 3, 2008

5-K’s popularity rivals that of Half Marathon

By Dan Stillwell

With all the publicity the Beckley Half Marathon gets, it’s been easy for the companion 5-K Run/Walk to get shuffled into the background.

That could be changing.

“There are now three or four 5-K runs in the area, so it’s starting to be a big thing,” Joe Guffey of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce said. “If you’re interested in running and you don’t want to train for a marathon, they’re an opportunity to do shorter runs.”

The 11th annual Half Marathon and 5-K Run/Walk is set for 8 a.m. Saturday in front of Mountain State University’s Learning Resource Center on South Kanawha Street.

While the 13.1-mile Half Marathon will head out to the YMCA sports complex and return via Rails-to-Trails, the 5-K Run/Walk will continue south on South Kanawha to Black Knight Country Club before doubling back.

The Half Marathon and 5-K events will conclude behind MSU on Minnesota Avenue.

Last year’s 5-K drew 163 competitors.

“It’s really developed,” Kip Buchanan of the chamber said.

“We had less than 30 competitors our first year. A lot of high schools are now using it as a training tool between meets to keep in shape.”

While more than 250 competitors are expected for the three events, only 109 had registered as of Thursday afternoon.

That’s nothing unusual, however. Traditionally, the chamber receives most entries on Friday.

“It’s going to be a busy day,” Buchanan said.

Guffey would like to see more walkers compete.

I think it would be fun for people,” he said. “You get dinner (tonight) and a T-shirt, and instead of walking in your neighborhood, you get to do it with a group of people.”

Of course, the Half Marathon remains the marquee event, bringing in competitors from all over the eastern part of the country.

“This is the third year for the course and it’s a better one than we had,” Buchanan said. “It’s flatter and runner-friendly.”

Guffey added the Beckley area is a good place for running events.

“We’ve got a high altitude, but not so high that it kills you,” he said.

The Half Marathon has age divisions from under-19 through 70-over. The 5-K Run/Walk features under-9 through 70-over divisions.

Registration will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Learning Resource Center. A pre-race dinner will also be held.

A pre-race registration is from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Saturday’s activities will conclude with the popular Chili Night downtown.

— E-mail:

dstillwell@register-herald.com

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010