SPENCER CORLEY

A small but very competitive group of runners and walkers took the streets of Paden City in the 8th Annual Foundation 5K Run/Walk Race with the goal of attaining a personal best, along with a desire to garner top awards.

The race awarded overall champions, runners-up and third place finishers in the traditional Open Division for Runners and Walkers and also added a Masters Division and Grand Masters Division, which afforded more participants to win top awards.

Additionally, age group medals were awarded to the top three finishers respectively.

The Open Division Overall Male Winner was Spencer Corley with a time of 16:52.4, while the Open Division Overall Female Runner was Ciara Space with a time of 21.46.9.

A complete list of winners in all Overall Divisions along with age group winners can be found at aptiming.com.

The start of the Paden City 5K Run/Walk is pictured.

Two special awards were given this year. John Parker was awarded the Friend of the Foundation 5K award for his efforts in helping maintain Centennial Park (the site of the race) and his promotion of the event throughout the year.

“John has encouraged me all year with matters concerning the race and shown constant enthusiasm.

“He got to run in the race this year and also won an age group medal.

“I’m very proud of him and thank him,” said Rodney McWilliams, race director.

Also, Scott Simonton of St. Marys was awarded the Gary and Ruby McWilliams Volunteerism Award for all his efforts in promoting the race throughout the Ohio Valley at many races he has entered.

CIARA SPACE

“Scott took race registration forms to every race he entered and promoted this race as if it was his own.

He always brings a crowd with him and we appreciate his work,” said McWilliams.

Simonton was also given a special certificate in recognition of his 300th completed race.

“Scott’s 300th race was our race in Paden City and we are so happy to be able to recognize this great accomplishment,” McWilliams added.

McWillliams commented on the race, “I don’t believe I have ever seen a race full of runners and walkers who concentrated and were more driven from start to finish than I did during this race.

JOHN PARKER

“I also saw the faces of all the participants at the 2 mile mark, and every single person – without fail, had the look and attitude of doing their best and making sure they gave 110 percent.

“This was one of the most competitive race, in terms of drive and dedication of the participants, I have ever been a part of.”

“I want to thank each of them for being a part of the race and hope they enjoyed every minute of it. I also want to thank the great group of sponsors who helped us make available to the participants some of the best awards and race shirts you will find anywhere. Their generosity helped us meet our financial needs and allowed us to keep a higher percentage of the entry fees for our benefactor, The Paden City Museum.”

McWilliams also thankd “the wonderful volunteers who show up each year to help with set-up, registration, course safety at the street intersections, post race refreshments, and photography.”

“I want to send a special thank you to officers of the Paden City Police Department, who escorted the participants through the course, and to CSX for allowing a train slow-down at a critical rail crossing.

This race would not be possible without these volunteers and all their hard work.”

The Foundation 5K Run/Walk is a fundraiser for the Paden City Foundation and its major project, The Paden City Museum.

It is held the first Saturday of June each year and starts and finishes at Centennial Park (Main Street at 3rd Ave.) in Paden City.

For information about the race to be a sponsor of next year’s, contact McWilliams at 304-482-9684 or write to Paden City Foundation, P.O. Box 233.