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The streets of Westernport will echo Saturday morning to the familiar sound of hundreds of feet padding the pavement, as the town once again hosts the annual Lisa Wade Memorial 5K Run.
Now in its eighth year, the race is named for Lisa Wade, who was a 15-year-old student-athlete at Westmar High School when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in September, 2000. Looking to turn her death into a positive, Lisa’s parents, Lois and Dan Wade of Swanton, struck upon the idea of a memorial run. Eight years later, the Wade family remains at the heart of the event.
“The whole family is still really involved,” said Lois, the self-designated “chief pepperoni roll maker,” for her renowned, post-race mini rolls.
All proceeds from the event fund scholarships for area high school seniors.
Organized with help from the Georges Creek Soccer Club and the Queen City Striders running club, the race will start at 8:30 a.m. and wind through Westernport, along Route 36 North to Franklin, then back into town on Old Route 36.
The race draws some of the area’s top runners, with cash prizes awarded for the runner who beats the course record: 15:39 for men, held by Jaron Hawkins, and 18:56 for women, held by Maureen Hall.
Steve Amann of the Georges Creek Soccer Club expects a field of 300-plus runners.
“Pre-registration this year and last has been off the charts,” he said. “It’s become one of the summer events to do in the Tri-Towns area.”
New this year will be Corey’s Course, named for Lisa Wade’s cousin, Corey Broadwater of Fort Ashby, who died of cerebral palsy this spring, just before his 22nd birthday. Corey’s Course is a 1.5-mile handicap-friendly walking course.
With proceeds from the race, the Wades plan to give four $500 scholarships next year: one apiece for a female soccer player or cross country runner at Mountain Ridge, Southern and Northern high schools, and a special achievement award in Corey’s honor for a Mineral County student who overcomes mental or physical challenges.
In addition to its name recognition, the Lisa Wade Run is becoming known for the extensive door prizes given to race participants, with gifts provided by a host of area restaurants and other businesses, including meals, T-shirts and other prizes. Also being given away this year are autographed items from soccer star Mia Hamm, Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, Cleveland Indians pitcher and Cumberland native Aaron Laffey and country singer Brad Paisley.
The grand prize give-away will be a one-night stay at the Comfort Inn at Deep Creek Lake.
Also, a raffle will be held for a football signed by members of the WVU football team.
Lois Wade, who plans to whip up a thousand of her signature pepperoni rolls for Saturday, said the race named for her daughter has become a family and community celebration. “We’re not there to mourn them and go through that all over again,” she said of Lisa and Corey. “We’re there to have fun and remember them.”
Race-day registration will be held from 7 to 8:15 a.m. at the pavilion in Westernport’s Creekside Park. The entry fee is $15. Runners compete in 11 different age groups. All runners also receive a race T-shirt, with the top three finishers in each age category receiving a mug, and the top overall male and female winners earning a plaque and special gift.
Organizers advised participants that ample parking exists throughout the town.
For more information on the Lisa Wade Memorial 5K Run, contact Steve Amann of the Georges Creek Soccer Club at 301-359-0042.
For more information visit the website at www.myspace.com/lisawade5krun.
The streets of Westernport will echo Saturday morning to the familiar sound of hundreds of feet padding the pavement, as the town once again hosts the annual Lisa Wade Memorial 5K Run.
Now in its eighth year, the race is named for Lisa Wade, who was a 15-year-old student-athlete at Westmar High School when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in September, 2000. Looking to turn her death into a positive, Lisa’s parents, Lois and Dan Wade of Swanton, struck upon the idea of a memorial run. Eight years later, the Wade family remains at the heart of the event.
“The whole family is still really involved,” said Lois, the self-designated “chief pepperoni roll maker,” for her renowned, post-race mini rolls.
All proceeds from the event fund scholarships for area high school seniors.
Organized with help from the Georges Creek Soccer Club and the Queen City Striders running club, the race will start at 8:30 a.m. and wind through Westernport, along Route 36 North to Franklin, then back into town on Old Route 36.
The race draws some of the area’s top runners, with cash prizes awarded for the runner who beats the course record: 15:39 for men, held by Jaron Hawkins, and 18:56 for women, held by Maureen Hall.
Steve Amann of the Georges Creek Soccer Club expects a field of 300-plus runners.
“Pre-registration this year and last has been off the charts,” he said. “It’s become one of the summer events to do in the Tri-Towns area.”
New this year will be Corey’s Course, named for Lisa Wade’s cousin, Corey Broadwater of Fort Ashby, who died of cerebral palsy this spring, just before his 22nd birthday. Corey’s Course is a 1.5-mile handicap-friendly walking course.
With proceeds from the race, the Wades plan to give four $500 scholarships next year: one apiece for a female soccer player or cross country runner at Mountain Ridge, Southern and Northern high schools, and a special achievement award in Corey’s honor for a Mineral County student who overcomes mental or physical challenges.
In addition to its name recognition, the Lisa Wade Run is becoming known for the extensive door prizes given to race participants, with gifts provided by a host of area restaurants and other businesses, including meals, T-shirts and other prizes. Also being given away this year are autographed items from soccer star Mia Hamm, Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, Cleveland Indians pitcher and Cumberland native Aaron Laffey and country singer Brad Paisley.
The grand prize give-away will be a one-night stay at the Comfort Inn at Deep Creek Lake.
Also, a raffle will be held for a football signed by members of the WVU football team.
Lois Wade, who plans to whip up a thousand of her signature pepperoni rolls for Saturday, said the race named for her daughter has become a family and community celebration. “We’re not there to mourn them and go through that all over again,” she said of Lisa and Corey. “We’re there to have fun and remember them.”
Race-day registration will be held from 7 to 8:15 a.m. at the pavilion in Westernport’s Creekside Park. The entry fee is $15. Runners compete in 11 different age groups. All runners also receive a race T-shirt, with the top three finishers in each age category receiving a mug, and the top overall male and female winners earning a plaque and special gift.
Organizers advised participants that ample parking exists throughout the town.
For more information on the Lisa Wade Memorial 5K Run, contact Steve Amann of the Georges Creek Soccer Club at 301-359-0042.
For more information visit the website at www.myspace.com/lisawade5krun.
