DAVIS – The streets of Davis were filled with racers hoping to take home money for their teams during Saturday’s Run For It event, sponsored by the Tucker Community Foundation. More than 1130 folks registered for the race, representing 50 teams. The unofficial purse for this year’s race was more than $171,000.
Taking top place this year for most money raised was the Mountaintop Readers, who were raising support for the Mountaintop Library in Thomas. Team Captain Ivonne Martinez said her team worked hard to earn the first place win.
Other top teams include second place, Tucker Boulder Park; third, Philippi Bookworms; fourth, Challenged Athletes; and fifth, Belington Bookaneers.
Diane Hinkle, Development Director for Tucker Community Foundation, said the Run For It event was a great success.
“Last year, we had 40 teams who split a purse of $150,996,” Hinkle said. “We had less registered participants at 1066 racers.”
Hinkle said the weather was beautiful Saturday and said she considered the 2014 Run For It a great show of community support.
The youngest participant in Saturday’s race was Jaxson Scarberry. Four individuals were recognized as the eldest registered participants including Ira Miller, 97; Carolyn Pell, 92; Laverna White, 89; and John Ferguson, 88.
Teams receiving $1,000 from the Tucker County Commission include Team Hannah, Fresh Canvas, Tucker Boulder Park, Mountaintop Readers and Davis Riverfront Ramblers.
The McDonough Foundation Awards were given to Randolph Tucker Children Advocacy Center, Mountaintop Readers, Tucker County EMS, the Challenged Athletes, Five Rivers Library, Cortland Challengers, Canaan Valley Ski Patrol, Belington Bookaneers, Kasson Eagles, Mountain State Girls on the Run, Philippi Bookworms, After School Explorers, Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative, Team Pioneer, Rowdy Readers, Harman-Strong Panther Power, Preston County Fund Raisers, Cub Scout Pack 88, Davis Thomas Elementary School PTO, ,000$ Philippi Bookworms, the Billie Armstrong Fund, Team Tyler, PocaCo Seniors, Tucker Boulder Park, Davis Riverfront Ramblers, Freedom Marchers, Preston County Humane Society, Fresh Canvas, Cruisin Critters, Eastern Mountains Young Life, WV Highlands Artisan Group, Team Millennium, Friends of the Cheat, Remember the Miners, Knights of Columbus Council 603 and OES Walter All Stars.
In the 2K walk, the first to finish were: Youth, male – Kalib Chidester, Braxton Dunn and Dustin Fidley; Youth, female – Tory Paul, Rachelle Spencer and Abbie Eakle. Adult, male – Steve Stork, Mitchell Beall and Barrett Johnson. Adult, female – Haley Gillespie, Emma Donavon and Jennifer Friend. Male masters – Ed Rader, Allen Rapp and Richard Horan. Female masters – Diane Beall, Nanette Seligman and JoJo Patterson.
Top runners in the 5K were Joel Wolpert, Andrew Rhodes, Derek Bolyard, Luke Fleischman and Athey Lutz. The top female runners were Katie Wolpert, Marie Bolyard and Maria Fenwick.