Saturday, November 7, 1998 -- Wheeling
Paul T. Boos Memorial 5K
Information and pictures for this article contributed by Lew McGrath.

[Coverage/Recap w/Pics] [Results] [Pics Set 1] [Pics Set 2] [Pics Set 3]

Daran Gaus out ran the competition at Oglebay Park

The challenge that comes with the Paul T. Boos Memorial 5K+ is really just your basic out-and-back course... uphill on the way out and downhill on the way back. The 3.4 mile course (hence the plus in 5K+) begins with a gradual climb as the run heads from the Stratford Athletic Club into Oglebay Park. Once in the park the climbing gets serious for a half-mile until the racers reach the up and down loop around the cabins. At least the race finishes with a nice downhill as it returns to the athletic club. It is advertised as a physical run and walk over hilly terrain with a steep incline into Oglebay Park. But this did not discourage a great crowd of runners and walkers from taking up the challenge on a cool Saturday morning.

Jill O'Neill finished 12th overall, plenty fast enough for first female honors

When the runners took to the streets, it was Wheeling Park H.S. senior, Daran Gaus, who took up the lead position, and he never looked back. The climb up through Oglebay, the subsequent loop around the cabins, and even the run past the dinosaurs (one of the exhibits at Oglebay's famous Festival of Lights could phase the young man. He crossed the finish with a comfortable lead at 18:18. The next finisher was another Wheeling Park student, freshman Stuart Sleime, who completed the course in 18:54. Taking third place honors was Tim Campbell of New Martinsville.

In the women's race, it was Jill O'Neill, another New Martinsville native, who dominated the competition. Jill's time of 20:58 was good enough for 12th overall. The second place female, Bethany Romanek, of Wheeling, didn't see the finish line until 23:20.

Terry Whitecotton can celebrate a brisk walk in the park

In the 5K+ walk, it was Terry Whitecotton finishing first with a time of 33:51. Not far off his heels was Donna Patrina who finished second to take the first place female honors in a time of 34:04.

Many thanks go out to all the participants, volunteers and sponsors including the Ohio Valley Medical Center, Cameron Coca Cola, and the Valley Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The proceeds from the race were donated to the Paul T. Boos Memorial Trust Fund to benefit his children's college education (Alice, age 5 and Thomas, age 2). Paul's wife, Martha, is still active in the community and participated in the day's festivities and certainly appreciates everyone's support.