Share |

Saturday, September 15, 2007 -- Morgantown, WV
September Stride 5K-MAGP Sprint #7 (iPO Event Id#: 10013)

2007: [Photos] [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Coverage: [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005] [2006]

Metcalfe First Woman to Claim MAGP Event Overall Win

Story by Julie Black with photos by Maria af Rolén

Megan Metcalfe photo by Maria af Rolen
Megan Metcalfe ready to pounce
Photo by Maria af Rolen
For 15 years, the September Stride has set the standards as one of the most popular 5K races in the Morgantown Area Grand Prix (MAGP) Series. So, what makes this race so special? Could it be the Friday night pasta slurp while watching an MD speak about avoiding injuries? Or maybe it's the excellent plethora of prize drawings? Ask the locals and they'll give you a list ranging from lots of parking to the kid's tent. Whatever it is, the September Stride crew is certainly doing something right.

Attracting over 200 racers, many spectators, children, and volunteers, this event has yet to be outdone in the series of 5K races that are held in Morgantown. Employees from WVUH, UHA and WVU Health Sciences get involved, and why not? The race takes place right in front of their work.

Many take part because the money goes to the Richard Rosenbaum Memorial Fund, which provides medication and equipment to children with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary problems.

September Stride photo by Maria af Rolen
September Stride 5K Run and Walk
Photo by Maria af Rolen
As the 7th race in the MAGP Sprint Series the run attracts competitive racers from all over including the current leader of the series, Larry Taylor of Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Stealing the show this year was overall September Stride race winner, Megan Metcalfe who won the 5K run in 16:57, keeping a 5:27 pace per mile. She's the first female to ever take the overall win at the September Stride. Metcalfe is also the first female place first overall in an MAGP Series event. She broke the Sept. Stride 5K women's course record of 17:09, previously held by Heather Parks (Bury), and was awarded $100.

Canadian-born, Metcalfe attended West Virginia University (WVU) where she earned a remarkable (and school- record) nine All-American certificates in track and cross country according to fast-women.com.

In second was Matt McCarrell in 17:07. Current MAGP points leader, Larry Taylor, finishing in 3rd with a time of 17:13. Second place female and 16th overall was Nicole Dorinzi who claimed the prize easily in 20:07. Paula Bridges came all the way from Cumberland, Maryland and made her trip worth while by taking 3rd.

Jim French of Smithfield, Pennsylvania blazed through the 5K walk in 26:53. Keith Bailey took 2nd in 33:24, and Kimberly Zaph finished in 3rd with a time of 33:30.

The event concluded with a kid's race and prizes. Thanks to all who participated and volunteered to make this event a great success.