Saturday, December 5, 1998 -- Huntington
Jingle Bell 5K Run

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

David Lyle maintains an early lead on Kevin Batey

The temperatures for last year's Jingle Bell Run were below freezing, that was not the case for 1998. This year, despite morning showers and the constant threat of rain, Huntington runners were treated to unseasonably warm weather with the mecury reaching close to 60 degrees as the race got underway. There were still plenty of Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and jingling bells throughout the crowd to remind everyone that it was a celebration of the coming winter holidays.

Norma Denning does her best to remind us that the Christmas season is here

It was a typical Huntington 5K, a flat course laid out as a big rectangle through the downtown streets beginning and ending at the Civic Arena. The racers hit the pavement at 9:00am with David Lyle and Kevin Batey quickly taking up the lead postions. Although Lyle led the race for much of the first mile, Batey took over the lead position for mile two and three. When it came down to the finish, Batey (16:27) was able to out sprint Lyle (16:28) to the line.

Another good battle was waged for third place. While Brent Jarrell held the position for much of the race, Dan Bailey was constantly surging to stay on his heels. With less than a half-mile to go, Bailey finally made a move to overtake Jarrell. Bailey was able to hold the edge to finish third in a time of 17:09 with Jarrell still close behind in fourth at 17:15.

7-year-old Alexandra Franklin enjoys a December day in shorts and a tank top

In the competition among the female runners, 44-year-old Connie Young had no rivals as she crossed the line 13th overall with a time of 19:53. The racing for second postion was a little closer as Sheri Mounteer (22:00), Mindy Patrick (22:07) and Jacquelyn Cyrus (22:20) crossed the line in 37th through 39th positions overall, good enough to take 2nd through 4th overall female honors, respectively.

Many more finishers completed the 5K and helped to make this benefit for the Arthritis Foundation a huge success. Breakfast was served for everyone after the event and the many volunteers and sponsors ensured that the whole morning was a nothing less than just another great run through the streets of Huntington, West Virginia!