ELK GARDEN, WV, May 7, 2022 – With less than favorable weather conditions, 64 runners crossed the finish line at the 11th annual “Conquer the Dam 5K” Race for Meals on Wheels.
Pictured Right: Ainsley Friend makes history as the youngest ever female champion.
Despite flooding rains Anthony Sanders of Ridgley, WV was the overall winner crossing the finish line in a blazing 17:31.4. The 19-year old’s attempt to dethrone Gavin Caupp (2012) was just 4 tenths of a second off the record.
Zach Stickley finished second overall, finishing in 19:31.2 and beating last year’s champion, Craig Westfall, 26, Keyser, WV by 25 seconds. Stickley improved his 2021 time by an amazing 1:52. Westfall finished 3rd, while Brigham Lott, 16, Fort Ashby, WV, 22:04 rounded out the top four.
Billy Meeks, 50, Keyser, WV, 23:27 finished 5th overall and won the master’s division (40+) in the race to the finish line, which is situated adjacent to the Jennings Randolph Lake – Howell Run Pavilion Area — and it’s at the top of a lengthy incline.
Ainsley Friend, 13, Keyser, WV was the top female runner with a time of 23:41.9. Friend is the youngest ever winner of the Women’s division. Friend took advantage of a sub 50-degree temperature and was little bothered by the wet pavement.
Taylor Kitzmiller-Bosley, 12, Oakland, MD finished 2nd in the women’s division and 7th overall. Scott Braithwaite, 35, Keyser, WV finished 8th with a time of 24:17, followed by Cole Cook, 13, Keyser, WV, 24:35.
Ashley Kitzmiller, 40, of Oakland, MD, 24:36 won the women’s masters division (40+), finishing 10th overall followed by runner up Ginger Roby, 47, Maysville, WV, 12th overall with a time of 25:30. For the 60+ category, Cindi Bowen, 61, Amherst, VA, 28:55, finished with the fastest female time, followed by Rhonda Larson, 65, Rawlings, MD, 35:40. Bill Wagoner, 64, Uniontown, OH, 28:18 toped the men, followed by David Webb, 76, Burlington, WV, 38:59.
The annual 5K run/walk raises funds to support the Meals on Wheels program administered by Aging and Family Services of Mineral County. More information on this vital program can be found at www.wvaging.com.