Chasing first place is good enough for a smile from Larry Taylor

Sunday, December 20, 1998 -- St. Marys
16th Annual Mistletoe 5K Run
Race coverage provided by Carrie Wickline and guest contributor: Craig Fahey, WVOutside International Correspondant from Dunedin, New Zealand.

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

127 runners hit the streets of St Marys on Sunday to take part in the 16th Annual Mistletoe 5k Run and Walk. The race was held on the residential streets surrounding Pleasants County Park with overcast skies and light rain that fortunately subsided for the duration of the race. Pleasants Pacers running club, who sponsored the event, was thankful for the near 60 degree weather that influenced the strong turn out.

Third overall female Sarah Murray, fashioned in camo-tiger, takes the corner in stride

The runners took their mark at 2:30 Sunday afternoon and the leading runners made short work of the 5 kilometers, with first placed Van Arnold breaking the tape in an impressive time of 15:44. Van was pushed hard but never really threatened by Larry Taylor who finished strong 1:07 back and held off Cole Carpenter, the third place finisher, by just 14 seconds. In the women's division Kim Dorman kept her first place position throughout the run to finish in 19:12. Fifteen year old Jessica Taylor posted an impressive time of 19:29 to take 2nd, and Sarah Murray finished out the top three female places with a 21:34 run.

The mistletoe 5k echoed the holiday season, with the competitors braving the wet conditions and showing their festive spirit in the form of Santa hats and seasonably warm smiles all round. Race director Mike Taylor organized a great event for runners of all ages to enjoy.