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SPORTS
Nearly 400 signed up for 5K
The West Virginia 5K Championship takes place Saturday, June 6, in downtown Huntington.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON — Entries keep coming in for the West Virginia 5K Championship distance run.
Race director Pat Riley said he had 382 entries and counting Thursday afternoon for the race that begins at 8 a.m. Saturday in the area of 8th Street and 9th Street on Veterans Memorial Boulevard.
Along with bragging rights as a state champion in various categories, the event also has cash prizes.
First place overall in male and female categories pays $300 and the winners receive a pair of Mizuno shoes from Robert’s Running and Walking Shop. Second place overall receives $200 plus a VO2 Test and HOTPod from the HIT Center. Third place pays $100.
Age groups from 10-under to 66-older have awards for the top three finishers.
Men’s favorite Eric Putnam is the cross country and track coach at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio. Putnam was an All Mid-American Conference runner at Ohio University and has won several distance runs in the Tri-State.
Marshall University sophomore Matt Schiffbauer and two former Thundering Herd runners — Jason Pyles of Huntington and Casey Batey from Morgantown — should also be in contention. Pyles also owns several Tri-State race titles. Batey, formerly of Milton, was an All-American distance runner at Marshall in 2002.
Top female runners will include West Virginia University assistant coach Jen Davis, who was an All-American for the Mountaineers, and former Marshall runner Marian Pyles of Huntington.
Riley anticipates a winning time of 14 minutes, 30 seconds to 14:45.
“People are going to have to run very fast times to win the overall title,” he said. “You better run under 14:45 on the men’s side if you want to win it. That’s a 4:30 to 4:40 mile pace.
“On the women’s side it will probably take around 17 minutes flat.”
Participants can pick up race packets from 4 to 8 p.m. today in the lobby of Pullman Plaza Hotel, 1001 3rd Ave. Packets include a coupon for a free pasta dinner tonight at Frankie D’s Italian Chophouse in Pullman Square.
Race registration continues up to the start at www.tristateracer.com, the United Way of the River Cities office at 820 Madison Ave., and by calling (304) 523-8929.
Live entertainment for racers and the community is scheduled today on the Pullman Square stage.
City street closures Saturday for the race include:
n Veterans Memorial Boulevard in the start/finish area from 6 to 9:30 a.m.
n 10th Street between Veterans Memorial Boulevard and 3rd Avenue before and during the event.
n Veterans Memorial Blvd from 13th Street to 1st Street; 1st Street from Veterans Memorial Boulevard to 5th Avenue; one lane of 5th Avenue from 1st Street to Hal Greer Boulevard; Hal Greer Boulevard from 3rd Avenue to 5th Avenue; and one lane of 3rd Avenue from Hal Greer Boulevard to 13th Street all are closed from 8 to 9 a.m.
“Safety is a major concern.” said Riley, who will have a a crew of more than 50 volunteers working on the race course. “We’re going to provide that.”
The event goes on, rain or shine, Riley said. If it does rain, runners can stay dry while warming up in the Pullman Square parking garages.
Runners and spectators can also use the parking garages.
A post-race awards ceremony is at Pullman Square.
And, if you miss it this year don’t worry. It will return next year.
“This is going to be an annual event,” Riley said. “It’s going to be exciting seeing where we can build this to.”
