Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 11, 1995 TAG: 9510110040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Oct. 14 event at Camp Alta Mons in Crockett Springs will begin at 9 a.m. and offers area runners a unique opportunity, according to race organizer Marvin Ballard, the Shawsville High cross country coach.
``There are about 30 road races that take place in the area every year,`` said Ballard, a road racer himself. ``This race, however, is the only one that is a cross country event.``
The beauty of cross country, Ballard said, is the combination of a sporting competition and a lovely and natural setting.
``We have one of the most beautiful courses around at Alta Mons,`` Ballard said. ``I tried to schedule the event at a time when the leaves are at the peak of their color changes.
``Also, the race allows people to literally run over streams and through the woods. The runners can get out and enjoy the blue skies overhead on a great course. It's a nice change from the road races where you can end up dodging cars all day.``
The Shawsville Cross Country 5K will be held in conjunction with the annual Shawsville Group A and Virginia Independent Conference Invitational at Shawsville High.
Ballard said that the events are held simultaneously to let cross country coaches and families of high school runners experience an event at which they are more often spectators.
``The race gives all those familiar strangers we see during the course of a year a chance to participate in a cross country race,`` Ballard said. ``It gives the high school kids a chance to cheer their coaches, and often times there are parents or brothers and sisters that would like to run. This race gives them that chance.``
The Shawsville Cross Country 5K has age groups for both men and women of all ages. The entry fee is $5, a price Ballard believes to be a bargain. Entries will be accepted on race day at no extra charge, a policy that differs from that of many other races.
Gold medals will be awarded to the male and female winner of each of the 12 age classifications, as well as to the overall winner in the men's, women's and coaches' divisions.
Call Ballard at 268-1812 5-9 p.m. for more information or to enter.
Recreational Sports Honor Roll: The adult sports seasons are in full swing at area parks and recreation departments, and here are some of the early leaders from the Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford areas.
In Blacksburg Parks and Recreation volleyball action, three area men's power division teams are undefeated. - or ``killing`` the oppositiona perfect 16-0, followed by Straight Down and Stump Jumpers, tied at 12-0. The women's A league is paced by the Hammerheads (11-1) and Off Speed (9-2).
Leaders in the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation volleyball league are Referee's Team at 6-0, Spots/Sanico with a 6-3 mark and Side-Out at 4-2.
United Methodist tops the Christiansburg Church co-ed ``A" volleyball division, while Main Street Baptist II and the Prophets stand atop the heap in the ``B" league.
The First Christians team is tied atop the Radford Parks and Recreation Department's men's church league basketball standings with First Baptist and Zion Hill in the early going. All three teams are undefeated.
Scoreboard leads the pack in Radford's volleyball league with a perfect 3-0 mark.
Story ideas and suggestions about recreational sports in the New River Valley are welcome and should be directed to Chad Willis at P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073, voice mail 381-1672, or fax number (540) 381-1656.
by CNB