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SPORTS
Runners honor Roger Kyle
Runners participate in the Roger Kyle Memorial 10-Mile Trail Run/5K Trail Walk, Barboursville Community Park on Saturday, June 5, 2010, in Barboursville.
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BARBOURSVILLE -- Sad and proud cover the emotions Andrew Johnson and many of the other 96 runners felt early Saturday morning when they showed up at Barboursville Community Park to compete in the Roger Kyle Memorial 10-Mile Trail Run and 5K Walk.
Johnson was a running partner with Kyle. They competed in races or leisurely runs around Ritter Park or in the Southeast Hills section of Huntington. Kyle, who lived in Proctorville, died on April 15 at the age of 59. He had just retired as a United States Postal Clerk at the Marshall Station. Just before the race began, Johnson addressed the runners at the starting line.
"I didn't mind," Johnson said. "I knew Roger would appreciate this event. He passed before his time. For someone who was in such great shape, it's hard to believe."
Johnson said he was apprehensive about the turnout. A 7:30 a.m. start for a 10-mile trail run might discourage some, but the 96 entries from such places as Portsmouth, Ironton, Nitro, Charleston, Chapel Hill, N.C., Hope Mills, N.C., and Cincinnati made the sacrifices needed to be at the starting line on time.
"I was worried some people might not show up," Johnson said. "They did. I'm happy and it's all due to Roger. Not that many people are ready for a 10-miler this early. They'll gut it out for Roger. Roger would do anything for you and these people would do anything for Roger."
Robert Smith led the men's division, winning in 1:07.10. Sami Harris of Charleston, who is 15, topped the women's field in 1:14.28. Two weeks ago, Harris, who attends Charleston Catholic, won the 3200, placed second in the 1600 and fourth in the 800 in those Class A races in the West Virginia High School Track Championships at Laidley Field in Charleston.
"I love to run long races," she said. "I learned a lot about him. He sounds like a pretty cool guy."
Teddy Johnson didn't run Saturday, but he still made it to the site with a special article of clothing. It was a T-shirt that read: "The Last Run, Roger and Sarah Kyle, March 27, 2010." The shirt had photos of Roger and Sarah, his wife, who took part in Saturday's festivities. Many runners bought the shirt and Johnson wants them to wear it when they run in the West Virginia 5K Championship on June 19 in Huntington. It's also part of a fundraiser as Johnson wants to name a tree for Roger in Ritter Park.
"He ran that morning. That was his last race," Johnson said of Roger, who placed 77th, and Sarah, who came in No. 178, in the Adam Johnson Memorial Scholarship Three-Mile Run held on March 27 in Huntington. "He helped in Adam's race. He's here for all the races. It's still hard to believe he's gone. I'd say 95 percent of the runners are here as a tribute to Roger. There was nobody nicer. What a heart! The one we know was awesome."
Tom Dannals, race director for the Marshall Marathon scheduled Nov. 7, only had to worry about running Saturday.
"This is a great tribute for Roger," he said. "A 10-mile trail run and so many people are here. That's says a lot. It's because of Roger."
Jim Duke handled duties of race director. He had 30 volunteers total and 18 worked the course. He had two water stations set up. The top three finishers for men and women and top volunteer received awards made by Blenko Glass. Runners received T-shirts and gift bags. Other prizes went out via a raffle. Youngsters got to compete in a Children's Fun Run.
"We just didn't want to throw up a race," Duke said. "We want to reflect the quality individual he was. If Roger were here, we'd want him to be proud."
Duke knew there'd be some fast times, but he also knew others would be more than happy to cross the finish line regardless of what the clock said.
"We wanted to distinguish from others," Duke said. "People would be here to honor Roger and have a chance to win something. We want them to finish with a smile on their face."
Michele Muth and Kathy Atkinson took part in the 5K. Kyle, a member of the Huntington Road Runners, supported Marshall athletics. He and Sarah were regulars at Thundering Herd football games home and away. Muth crossed paths with Kyle while tailgating at football games.
"It's a chance to exercise and honor Roger," she said of why she entered.
Atkinson graduated with Kyle from Huntington East in 1968.
"This is my first one and it's because of Roger," she said. "He was a good man."
The runner who traveled the greatest distance had to be Alaeddine Saadaoui, who arrived in Huntington two weeks ago from Tunisia. This was his first race in America. Saadaoui, who is 27, will begin work on a master's degree in Information Systems at Marshall in the fall.
Mollie McOwen, academic coordinator/ESL instructor in the LEAP (Learning English for Academic Progress) Intensive English Program at Marshall, attended the race with Saadaoui and helped him understand/answer questions. She also has given Saadaoui a schedule of races in the area.
"I love to run," he said. "It was difficult today. It was hot and humid. It was worth it though."
Saturday's race was the first of three on the HealthyHuntington.org Corporate and Community Challenge Cup schedule. The other two races are the St. Mary's Tri-State Triathlon on Aug. 1 at Beech Fork Lake and Marshall Marathon. The competition rewards participants of all levels. More information can be found at HealthyHuntington.org.
