THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505060431
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: HARRY MINIUM
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Virginia's largest road race will be held on Norfolk's West Side for the 16th consecutive year today when the Rally's Elizabeth River Run kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Armed Forces Staff College.
More than 2,000 runners are expected for the 10-kilometer (6.1-mile) run. The race begins on Hampton Boulevard in front of the staff college, then proceeds through Meadowbrook, Larchmont, Lamberts Point and Ghent before turning onto Brambleton Avenue and downtown Norfolk.
The finish line is at Boush and Main streets.
The Little Lizzie Run, a 1-mile fun run, will be held at 8:30 a.m. at Boush and Main. More than 600 runners are expected to compete in that race.
Following the race, the Sentara Health and Fitness Festival will be held at Town Point Park.
For runners with more of a competitive streak, race organizers are offering $250 for anyone who can break these Elizabeth River Run course records: men's open (28:31 by Steve Pinard in 1986), women's open (34:01, Vickie Mitchell, 1993), men's masters (30:07, Gary Romesser, 1991) and women's masters (35:01, Nancy Grayson, 1991).
Pinard's record is unlikely to fall anytime soon, said race director David. W. Harrison.
``I ran in that race and the temperature must have been 42 with the wind as the runners' backs,'' he said. ``Everyone had a personal best that day.''
The National Weather Service is calling for good racing conditions again - fair skies with the temperature around 60 at race time, and with gusty winds at the runners' backs. by CNB