Saturday, September 21, 2002 -- Morgantown, WV
September Stride 5K (MAGP #8) (iPO Event Id#: 4934)
Story by SD with photos by Dave Mckain and EJ Linger

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Out in the rain to help children with CF

The 10th Annual September Stride festivities began on Friday evening with a pasta dinner and a number of speakers. The speakers reminded the crowd of runners and walkers that the funds raised helped benefit the Richard Rosenbaum Memorial Fund, which provides medication and equipment to children with cystic fibrosis. "I'm glad we are able to make a contribution to this cause," states Race Director, Tom Druge. His effort as Race Director for the last 10 years has helped raise more than $10,000.

The 5K race took place in a light rain the morning of September 21 and included an impressive field of runners. Morgantown's own Heather Bury successfully defended her reign as champion, winning for the fifth consecutive year. She added to her earnings from her Charleston Distance win and collected $200.00 in prize money after breaking the 18 minute barrier.

Of and racing at the 2002 September Stride

Bury is two weeks away from her debut marathon in St. George, Utah and had planned to run conservatively to keep in stride with her marathon training plan. "I just took off at the two mile and that is what I had planned on doing." Heather hopes to run sub 2:48 in Utah, which would qualify her for the Marathon Olympic Trials.

Rebecca Stallwood, former Big East Champion in the 5K and 3-Time All-American, placed second in her first post-collegiate road race. Stallwood's track eligibility expired at the National Indoor Track Championships in March, 2002. She has just begun a training cycle and one should expect her name to be at the top of a number of local road races in the future. She is currently training for the Canadian National Cross Country Championships. Stallwood's time of 18:08 was a solid steady run for second place and earned her $125.00.

Sara Walker, former WV Wesleyan star and current WVU medical student, placed third with a time of 19:12. She has finished in the top three in all of her September Stride performances ('99, '01, '02).

Collins, Batey & Bohan keep it close early

Ian Collins captured his first September Stride victory with a time of 15:20. Collins was just nine seconds shy of Mike Dudley's 1997 record of 15:11. Collins is also a recent graduate of WVU and was a two time National Qualifier in the 3000 Steeple Chase. "I was quite surprised at how good I felt," says Collins. Collins, Casey Batey, and Steve Bohan, ran together clocking the first mile at 5:00. Collins began to pull away at about 1.5 miles and separated from second place finisher, Casey Batey.

Batey, a Huntington native and Marshall University graduate, was also a National Qualifier in the 3000 Steeple Chase. Batey's time of 15:55 earned him $125.00. Batey's career highlights also include being the MAC 1500 and 3000 Steeple Chase Champion. He has just moved to Morgantown, WV and is beginning his post-collegiate running career.

2001 Champion Steve Bohan ran a time of 16:13 for third place. Bohan also has impressive career statistics. The WVU graduate was a Cross-Country All-American and competed in the World Championships in the Marathon.

The 5K walk included 58 finishers. Frank Mulich finished in a time of 27:44, averaging 8:55 pace. The top female was Kathy Whiteman with a time of 35:22.