Share |

Friday, July 13, 2007 -- Morgantown, WV / Caperton Trail
Twilight 5 Mile Run and 3-Mile Walk - MAGP Endurance #6 (iPO Event Id#: 10004)

2007: [Photos] [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Coverage: [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005] [2006]

Friday Night Fun in Morgantown

Story and photos by JR Petsko

Brew Pub Run photo by JR Petsko
Brew Pub Run photo by JR Petsko
Friday night everyone headed down to the Twilight 5-mile run, and I mean everyone. Over 332 people showed up at the doors of the West Virginia Brewing Company, and it wasn't just for their great food and drinks either. Even a little pre-race rain couldn't stop the masses from coming.

This year's event saw an increase of participants by 106 people over last year. A large reason for the increase can be attributed to the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship fund. Jim was a local runner and well liked citizen throughout the community of Morgantown. The crowds of people who awaited the race start in the rain to help remember him is a testament Dunn's character.

Jim must have been watching over his friends, because 5-minutes before race time the down pour of rain suddenly stopped and made way for beautiful skies.

The runners took off from the 'Brew Pub' in a hurry. Maybe they wanted to do well in the race, or maybe they just wanted to get back fast to get a better seat at the bar (wink, wink), but who knows.

Larry Taylor of Fayetteville, WV lead the pack of the four front runners. The field included Dan Monroe of Loganville, GA, Adam Frohnapfel, and Ethan Elliott, both of Morgantown, WV.

Brew Pub Run photo by JR Petsko
Brew Pub Run photo by JR Petsko
Noah Brak of Canfield, OH and Dylan Grego of Washington, PA seemed determined not to let the 'fantastic four' get away. As the leaders left my site a mass of runners charged towards me like wave of people. I tried my best to snap as many photos as I could before the runners headed further down the rail trail. Soon they were all gone and I could nothing but wait for the leader to return back down the trail.

Twenty minutes later my questions would be answered. Dan Monroe pulled away from the field to take the overall win, crossing the line in 26:46. Monroe finished the 2006 race in third. Not only did he improve on his position this year, he also improved his time. Monroe was able to hold of Larry Taylor who took second in 27:41.6. Noah Brak found his way around a few runners out on the course to take third in 28:23.2, just 7 seconds over Adam Frohnapfel who took home fourth.

After a break from running, Heather Parks of Bruceton Mills, WV returned to the local running scene to retain her 2006 title, taking the overall women's victory in 31:46. Second behind Parks was Janna Jackson of Morgantown, WV crossing the line 32:05. Third went to Mary Kreis of Belle Vernon, PA finishing in a time of 33:24. In the walking division first place went to Jim French of Smithfield, PA for the men and to Emily Stout of Waynesburg, PA for the women.

After some hard miles of racing it was time to head back to the 'WV Brew Pub' for an excellent spread. Thanks to everyone who made the night such a great time and to the folks who help put on the event. Don't forget the next race in the 2007 MAGP Endurance Series is race #7, Gene's Run For Special Olympics on Sunday, August 5th.