
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 2, 1995                   TAG: 9506020090
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FESTIVAL CLASSIC RACES ATTRACT 1,500 RUNNERS

More than 1,500 runners are expected to participate in the 11th annual First Union Festival Classic road races Saturday, starting and ending in downtown Roanoke as part of the city's Festival in the Park celebration.

The event consists of two races - a five-kilometer (3.1-mile) run and 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run.

``The 10K race, in particular, is a highly competitive race held on a fast, relatively flat course that attracts some of the region's finest runners year after year,'' said Chuck Saldarini, race director and president of First Union's Roanoke-area operations.

Last year, Travis Walter of Blacksburg was the top male finisher in the 10K race, with a time of 31 minutes, 25 seconds. Christy Shell of Roanoke was the top female finisher in the 10K, winning in 39:46.

In last year's 5K race, Brian Eigel of Christiansburg was the top male finisher, in 15:49, and Hetty Hoyt of Salem was the top female finisher, in 18:35.

Saturday's races begin simultaneously at 8 a.m. in front of the First Union bank building on Jefferson Street. The top five male and female runners in each races will receive trophies. Among remaining runners, the top five in each of several age and gender divisions will receive medals.

by CNB