Now In Seventh Year, Event Raises Funds For Three Local Youths
In its seventh year as a benefit race to help three local youths pay medical costs, the Woods Creek Run 4 the Kids drew 80 participants on Saturday, May 10.
Runners and walkers took on the moderately hilly 4-mile course along the Woods Creek Trail from Waddell Elementary School to the historic Miller House Museum at Jordans Point Park and back.
The money raised from participants and sponsors, a total of $7,359.26 this year, helped cover intensive therapy costs for two youths with cerebral palsy: 9-year-old Riven Welch and 14-year-old Alyssa Cornwell. The money also benefitted 10-year-old Eugene Presnell, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Over the years, Woods Creek Run 4 the Kids has raised $44,082, minus expenses going to medical trust funds.
Race director David Wells, who founded the race and is stepping down, expressed his appreciation for all those who made the race a success over the years. “I am grateful to all of you, the many fine individuals, businesses, local organizations such as the Friends of Woods Creek, Lexington Police Department, Lexington Fire and Rescue, City Council, Jani Hostetter, various volunteers, Cameron Jordan and his excellent engraving of yearly awards, musicians So Diverse, Eric Tubbs, Eric Yost and Jason Hostetter; Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Kappa Psi, [Washington and Lee University] Residence Life, the W&L Outing Club, W&L Bonner Scholars, Tracy Gordon at [Virginia Military Institute] facilities, and the VMI Keydets for making the last seven years possible.”
Wells also thanked David Agnor of Friends for contacting Ray Ulrich and Kathleen Black for fixing the Woods Creek Trail. Ulrich led the crew to fix the Lexington part, while Black coordinated the efforts to fix the W&L part. “They did an excellent job fixing the trail,” said Wells.
W&L senior Austin Molitor, 22, won the race in 24 minutes, 47.89. Sam Allen, 48, placed second in 25:09.43. Finishing third was Rockbridge County High School freshman Luke Eichholz, 15, in 28:20.32.
The top female finisher was RCHS senior Brooke Eichelberger, 18, placing 19th overall in 34:05.83. Placing second among females and 23rd overall was Martha Wright, 64, in 35:18.09. The third female finisher was Alyssa Sewell, 25, placing 29th overall in 38:33.
Age group winners were Bede Eichholz (boys 12 and under, fourth in 28:33.78), Ann Ditzel (girls 12 and under, 60th in 59:27.1), Jude Eichholz (boys 13-18, 12th in 30:51.57), CJ Brown (girls 13-18, 65th in 1:00:29.5), Asa Tuke (men 19-23, sixth in 30:07.79), Maggie Patterson (women 19-24, 34th in 39:10.98), John Rappold (men 25-30, 69th in 1:07:57), Katy Patterson (women 25-30, 31st in 38:36.62), Michael Poole (men 31-36, 20th in 34:10.04), Kirsten Barney (women 31-36, 35th in 39:11.8), Drew Ditzel (men 37-42, 61st in 59:27.92), Diana Kulaya (women 37-42, 57th in 54:00.45), Blake Shester (men 43-48, fifth in 29:00.85), Ann Pietrantoni (women 43-48, 43rd in 40:03.21), Jon Eastwood (men 49-54, 13th in 31:53.84), Dana Neel (women 49-54, 42nd in 40:01.64), Kelly Markham (men 55-60, 25th in 36:59.62), Brenda Lowe (women 55-60, 52nd in 47:27.15), Frederick Reed (men 61-66, 17th in 33:26.16), Molly Rogers (women 61-66, 46th in 42:27.34) and Steven Donald (men 67-72, 36th in 39:22.49).
For full results, visit www.runroanoke.com. Photos and updates to the race and fundraising efforts can be found at https://www.facebook. com/RivenAlyssaFayeMedicalExpenses.
Although he has stepped down as the race director, Wells said, “I hope something continues to help our local youth in need. Since several local races are discontinuing this year, I hope we as a community can reclaim them and reinvent them by creating a Rockbridge Rundown Series, hopefully bringing in runners from outside our area to enjoy the richness of our area and create more revenue to help more people.”
