Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9410130028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Such were the conditions the 30 runners in the third annual Run for Your Life in Blacksburg had to contend with Sunday afternoon.
Of course, those things didn't seem to bother BEN THOMAS or ALICE THOMAS. The husband-and-wife runners from Blacksburg repeated as overall winners in the run.
"It was sloppy and slippery," said Ben Thomas, who covered the 5K (3.1 miles) in 15 minutes, 31 seconds. "And there was a heavy downpour as the race started, so you felt it right away."
His strategy for winning - let someone else do the work: eventual runner-up JOE EDWARDS.
"I just got behind big Joe and let him cut a lot of the rain and wind," said Thomas. "It's easier to run behind someone in the rain. All you have to worry about is the rain splashing back up from the runner in front."
Thomas passed Edwards at the two-mile mark and went on to a nine-second victory.
MATT ELLIS a Virginia Tech student from Chevy Chase, Md., finished third.
Meanwhile, Alice Thomas enjoyed her trek through the elements.
"It was wet, but it was fast," said Thomas, who finished in 19:15. "I like running in the rain. I always seem to go faster in the rain."
A pair of Virginia Tech students took second and third in the women's division: SAMANTHA FORE from Pennsylvania was second, while SHANA PATRICK of Columbia, Md., was third.
Age-group winners for the men were DEWIN LAMMA (ages 18-22), MATT STOLTE (23-29), JESSIE RICHARDSON (30-34), TED EWING (35-39), DAVID MULLINS (40-44), LEX BRUCE (45-49) and JAMES GAINES (60-69).
The women's age-group winners were MARGO SEIDEL (ages 18-22), DEANA HINSON-BETZ (30-34) and LINDA FRASCA (35-39).
After the run, Edwards had this to say about the weather: "It started raining when I got here and it stopped when I finished," he said.
Then again, the rain was an improvement over last year's weather, which featured snow flurries.
HOOPING IT UP: Blacksburg and Christiansburg are accepting registration for upcoming youth basketball programs.
In Blacksburg, registration continues through Oct. 21 for Pee Wee and girls' sandlot leagues.
The Pee Wee league is for boys and girls ages 7-8 (as of March 1, 1995). Team placement practice will be Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Kipps Elementary School gymnasium. Practice begins Oct. 29.
The girls' sandlot leagues are for ages 9-14 (as of March 1, 1995). Team placement practice will be Oct. 24 at the Community Center gym - 5:30 p.m. for ages 9-11, 6:30 p.m. for ages 12-14. Practice begins Oct. 31.
The cost is $6. For more information, call the Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Department at 961-1135.
In Christiansburg, sign-ups continue through Oct. 28 for boys' and girls' minor league (ages 9-10 as of March 1, 1995), boys' and girls' major league (ages 11-12 as of March 1, 1995) and boys' and girls' senior league (ages 13-14 as of March 1, 1995 or in seventh grade).
The cost, which includes uniform, is $20 for town residents and $25 for nonresidents. Team placement practices will be announced.
Also, the town will have a boys' and girls' high school league for Christiansburg High School students not playing varsity or junior varsity basketball. The fee is $70 per team. Team managers' meetings will be Dec. 6 at the Christiansburg Recreation Center - 6 p.m. for the boys' league, 6:45 p.m. for the girls' league.
For more information, call CHUCK MUNCY, Christiansburg supervisor of athletics, at 382-2349.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: The Blacksburg YMCA has a hike scheduled every weekend into December. Meet at the YMCA parking lot at 403 Washington St. in Blacksburg. Hikes generally end by 5 p.m. Hikers will car pool from the parking lot, and riders should bring gas money.
Hikers should wear appropriate attire and shoes and bring water and snacks for longer hikes.
Upcoming hikes include the following (weather conditions may change the schedule):
Saturday at 9 a.m.: McAfee Knob. A seven-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail. Call BARRY ANDERSON at 639-1018 for more information.
Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m.: Dragon's Tooth. The Appalachian Trail is steep in places along this hike. Call SU CLAUSON-WICKER at 552-6331 for more information.
Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m.: Madison Marye farm. An easy pace with some easy climbs. Call DOTTIE ABASHIAN at 951-1990 for more information.
HE SHOOTS ... HE SCORES!: Youth indoor roller blade hockey leagues are being formed in Christiansburg.
Registration continues through Oct. 28. The league is open to youths ages 9-17 (as of March 1, 1995). Players will need to provide their own equipment, except for head gear and sticks.
Leagues will be formed only if there are enough participants. The cost is $20 for town residents and $25 for nonresidents. The fee includes team jersey.
The site and schedule for practices and games will be announced.
For more information, call CHUCK MUNCY, the supervisor of athletics, at 382-2349.
SPORTS CLUBBING IT: The Blacksburg Sports Club holds weekly meetings Wednesdays at noon at the Custom Catering Center at 902 Patrick Henry Drive.
Each meeting features a speaker from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg High School, or other local or national sports organization.
Reservations may be made by calling DEAN FARMER at 953-0388. The hot luncheon buffet costs $6.50. The optional salad costs $5.
Annual dues are $15.
M.J. Dougherty covers racing and community sports for the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River Valley bureau.
by CNB