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The Fun Run/Walk Participants start their journey!

After months of preparation by a group of dedicated ZSR Library faculty and staff, the 2nd Annual WTL5K/Fun Run was held yesterday morning, October 10, 2009. The final count is not yet tallied but we estimate that there were close to 270 registrations between the fun run/walk and the 5K. And since the fun run was a family affair, there were close to 300 people from the Wake Forest and greater Winston-Salem community who came out to enjoy a health-focused event on Homecoming weekend.

The weather threatened to be a challenge, but, for the most part, the rain held off and we were even treated to a rainbow prior to the start of the race. The weather was actual quite good from a runner’s point of view as a slight drizzle creates a good natural cooling system.

There were different challenges that were designed to increase participation: an Alumni Challenge for those in the 4’s and 9’s (this year’s homecoming reunion years) which was won by the 1989 graduating class, a Winston-Salem Forsyth County School system challenge to win library materials to the school with the most registrations which was taken by Southwest Elementary, and a repeat of last year’s Greek Challenge for WFU students to win intramural sports points for their series (winners: Sigma Chi and Kappa Delt). The most successful was the school challenge and it was great to see plenty of local young students participate in both events.

For the first time, we offered a grand prize to the top male and female finisher in the 5K race. The prizes, Ideapads, were donated by Lenovo. The overall male winner was our own Leek Deng for the second straight year. The female winner was Nicole Weiler.

Without a doubt, the WTL5K could not have succeeded without all the great teamwork from everyone in the library. It was really a case of “taking a village” to put on this event. The core “WTL5K” steering committee that coordinated all the many details was comprised of Erik Mitchell, Susan Smith, Mary Beth Lock (race directors), Roz Tedford (for the Marketing Committee) and Carolyn McCallum (for the WTL Planning Committee). Wanda Brown headed the fund raising efforts. Carolyn and Tim Mitchell managed securing food for the participants from local stores. Carolyn took charge of getting really wonderful t-shirts. Roz found new ways to get the word out, including a facebook ad. Mary Beth coordinated a crackerjack team of race day volunteers. In addition to our fabulous student assistants who came out to help on an early Saturday morning, thanks go to; Heather Gillette, Ellen Makaravage, Mary Scanlon, Ellen Daugman, Patty Strickland, Kaeley McMahan, Roz (Registration); Sarah Jeong, Steve Kelley, Barry Davis, Roz Tedford (Race Course Guidance); Derrick Hiatt (Water Stop); Tim Mitchell, Carolyn McCallum, Mary Reeves, Doris Jones (Finish Line Food); Carol Cramer and many others (after race clean up); Kevin Gilbertson (race website and marketing graphics); Craig Fansler (Award Certificates and other marketing materials); Kristen Morgan (Financial tracking); Charles Bombeld, Ron Smith, John Borwick (photography); Mark Strickland, Richard Lock (and Lock kids), Mark McCallum, Rachel Hiatt, John Borwick, Ron Smith (Giving up their Saturday to help their spouse’s cause). And last, but certainly not least, thanks go to our fearless Dean, Lynn Sutton, who patiently let the race directors (Susan, Erik and Mary Beth) blow off steam throughout the planning process without judging (we hope!) and who continues to promote and support innovative ways for ZSR Library to make its mark on the Wake Forest community.

We have started to post pictures that document the day’s events:

General Event Photos Including the Fun Run

WTL5K Contestant “On Course” Photos (search by bib number)

Photos by John Borwick

Photos by Thomas Fischer (Race photos start on page 6, #64 and go to page 21)