I won!!!

We took our Cross Country Team (My wife and myself coach XC at Barboursville Middle School) to the Pumpkin Run 5K in Milton over the weekend.

Amy Leslie, the race director, has always done a terrific job with this race. We wanted to take a break from the traditional XC Meets and let the athletes experience a real road race. We picked a good race as all of the athletes were super pumped and excited after the race. Many of them said they are going to hit the road race circuit after our season (ends on October 12) is over.

Alright, I have a little story to share… I did win the race but only because to MU runners got lost.

David Bias and Jack Whitney took the lead after 400 meters into the race and never looked back. I was able to see them till the 2 mile marker then they were too far out in front while the turns in the course kept them out of sight.

As I was racing, I figured I was in 3rd place but I started hearing different sounds and comments as I was nearing the finish line. Sure, lots of people normally congratulate ever runner as they are finishing, but this time, the cheers were just a tad louder. Again, I figured I was in 3rd place and Bias and Whitney were already through the chute.

I went through the chute and jogged back out on the course to cheer on the BMS XC athletes and about 50 meters out, I see Bias and Whitney coming in and immediately realized what had happened.

The win for me was not as cool as seeing all of the young smiling faces after the race. Our team really enjoyed it and we have to thank Amy Leslie and all the volunteers at the Pumpkin Run for creating such a good event!

Over 250 people showed up in 42 degree weather!! Fitness is alive in Runnington, WV!!