Sunday, October 3, 1999 -- Elkins
Forest Festival 10K Run and 5K Walk
Story and photos by Marty Lamp

[Coverage] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [Pic Set 4] [Pic Set 5]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Nick Waite jumps to the front early

The Mountain State Forest Festival provides many attractions during it's annual showing in Elkins, and the Forest Festival 10K Run and 5K Walk is one of the most popular. Sunshine filled the sky as temperatures hung around the 80's, with little humidity. The beautiful weather made it easy for the 100 runners and walkers to enjoy the afternoon. Walkers started at aproximately 12:45pm, and runners took off at 1pm.

The out and back course started at the Huntington Bank building at 5th and Davis Streets, then headed west through town. The majority of the course was level to rolling, with a 4 mile middle section through gorgeous, rolling country roads before returning to town.

The pack running through Elkins

It didn't take very long for Murshid Latif(36:21) get out in front, once the starting gun was sounded. Latif averaged a 5:51 pace per mile for the race, and finished well over three minutes ahead of second place finisher Charles Smith(39:33). Smith didn't get to enjoy such a lead as he had Todd Price(39:36) and Nick Waite(39:51) both hot on his heels. Price and Waite finished third and fourth overall, respectively.

For the women, it was the always fleet Rebacca Falbo-Schoonover(42:00) getting the win. Schoonover averaged 6:46 per mile in her race, and that was good enough for her to finish tenth overall.

Delores Bonnell striding to the finish line

The second female runner to finish was Delores Bonnell(45:06). Bonnell was the 19th finisher overall, and was less than a minute ahead of third place female finsher Chelsea Metheny(45:59). Metheny finished 27th overall.

Afterwards, all runners and walkers covened in the downtown Seneca Mall for refreshments and the awards ceremony. Special thanks go out to Sam and Becky Severino for handling the results, to all the volunteers that helped out, and to the Randolph County Road Runners.

Check out everything you need to know about the Mountain State Forest Festival at their website.