Sweet Briar community members (from left) Ginny Zirkle, Suzanne Ramsey and Alison Crehore pose for a photo after finishing the Virginia 10-miler.

Community Members Run in Local Race

From staff reports

Several members of the Sweet Briar community were among the more than 1,700 people who ran in the Virginia 10-miler or 4-miler on Saturday, Sept. 26. The annual event starts and ends at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg and is known for its hilly terrain. A total of 925 runners finished the 10-miler and 695 the 4-miler.

It was the first 10-mile race for help desk technician Ginny Zirkle and riding center administrative assistant Alison Crehore. Zirkle and Crehore finished the challenging, out-and-back course together in 1 hour, 52 minutes and 23 seconds, and placed 849th and 850th, respectively.

Scott Pierce, assistant professor of engineering, finished the race in 1:29.24 and 434th place. Jamie Bost, son of college relations’ Catherine Bost, ran with the Virginia Military Institute’s Marathon Club. He posted a time of 1:11.40 and placed 103rd overall. Shannon Cotulla, husband of SWEBOP director Laura Staman, ran the race in 2:07.18 and finished 901st.

Suzanne Ramsey, staff writer in college relations, finished 207th overall with a time of 1:19.20. She also placed first in the women’s 40-44 age group and first in the Athena division, a competitive class for women who weigh more than 140 pounds (and aren’t afraid to admit it).

In the 4-mile race, computer support specialist Jeff Young ran 49:06 and placed 592nd.

Members of the Sweet Briar Cross Country Club also competed in the 4-miler and won the open female team division. Hilary Bowie ’12 led the way for Sweet Briar, placing 200th with a time of 36:41.

Laura McKenna ’10 followed in 245th place and 37:52. Carlie Adams ’10 ran 38:07 and placed 254th and Alle Taylor ’10 finished a few seconds later at 38:11 and 258th place. Izzy Begej ’13 posted a time of 46:59 and placed 564th.