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Saturday, April 11, 2009 -- Glen Dale, WV / Reynolds Memorial Hospital, 800 Wheeling Ave, Glen Dale, WV 26038
Webark 5K Run & Walk (iPO Event Id#: 11964)

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

Coverage: [2004] [2005] [2006] [2007] [2008]

Walkers Equal Runners in Numbers at Webark

Story and Photos by Julie Black along with additional photos by Angela Ogle Lindley

Webark 5K Photo by Angela Ogle Lindley
Close finish for 1, 2, and 3
Over 200 participants lined up to run and walk the neighboring streets of Glen Dale, WV for the sixth year in a row.

The top three finishers of the 5K Run ran together during the last half-mile of the race. It was difficult to tell who would finish on top. The first to breakaway was Noah Brak of nearby Wheeling WV. Brak took 2nd overall in this year's Cooper's Rock 10K and 3rd overall at the 2009 Grafton 5-Mile Run. He finished first on Saturday with a fast time of 16:18.

Ryan Gundling of Pittsburgh, PA held steady with Brak near the end to cross in second with a time of 16:25. Colin Gundling of Murrysville, PA (16:38), took home an honorable third place award.

Christine Lewis of Martins Ferry, Ohio was the first female to finish in 18:58. She was 13th overall. Erica Marrari of University Park, MD claimed the second spot in 19:12. Diane Basich of Bridgeport, Ohio claimed third in 20:50.

The event's beneficiary was founded seven years ago. Webark Estates No Kill Animal Shelter is managed by The Lacefields, well-known animal lovers as well as the owners of 17 Domino's Pizza stores in the Glen Dale/Wheeling, WV area. Managed by Pam Lacefield, Webark Estates, Inc. is a "No Kill" facility. It provides lifetime care to any animal accepted into Webark Estates.

Webark 5K Photo by Julie Black
Race with a friend
The shelter is currently home to dogs, cats, rabbits, and rats. Webark's feral cat program has prevented thousands of litters of unwanted kittens from being born, and hundreds of cats have been spayed or neutered, and vaccinated, thru the program.

After the race, raffle prizes by the dozen were handed out along with a spread of post-Easter goodies. Farm fresh boiled eggs, Domino's pizza, and many other treats were plentiful and indoors keeping the chill off the participants and their families.

Race Director, Tom Rownd, hosts more than the Webark 5K. He also hosts the Auggie's 5K in October. This year, the 11th annual Auggie's 5K Run and Walk will be held on October 17. The event also benefits area animals in need, this time going to the Ohio County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OCSPCA).