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Saturday night's Kicks for Kids 5K here in Parkersburg might not have had the biggest field, but it appears both runners and walkers are coming back to the sport.
Following the event and prior to the awards ceremony, race co-director Sharon Marks thanked everyone who participated.
Money raised from the event should turn into around 100 pairs of shoes for students in Wood and Washington Counties.
"Sharon does a great job putting on the race and everyone that helps her," admitted men's run champion Scott Burnham, who said his next race will be the News and Sentinel Half Marathon.
Burnham finished third last year and added "I'd like to do that well or better and try to run a little faster.
"My big race this year is going to be the Chicago Marathon the first week of October."
I have to admit covering the event was a good way to return from vacation.
There were lots of familiar faces I hadn't seen in a while and I was able to catch up with a few of the different runners.
After Burnham crossed the finish line, a runner was just a couple seconds behind him and I thought to myself that looks like a familiar face.
As it turned out, the runner-up for the men's 5K was former Parkersburg Big Red Anthony Bradford.
"I just graduated at the University of Charleston (biology degree), but I have my COVID year so I'm going to get my masters, get my fifth year and I can run again," Bradford said.
"I actually have enough for two outdoors, but I'm just going to finish my masters in 12 months. I'm going to get my masters in business administration. I'm switching it up a little."
Obviously, Bradford was hoping to earn the win and be named the Road Runners Club of America Eastern Regional champion, but he came up just a little short.
Although it was the first time Bradford had participated in the race, he was more than familiar with it.
"I definitely think COVID dampened it a little bit," Bradford said of the sport. "They used to get a really good turnout with Breydon Gates, Scott Barker, Will LeMaster, but a lot of those guys are out of town.
"It would be good to see it get back to how it was. I think night races are good. I think it was definitely something to look forward to. You can avoid the heat a little bit and it adds a little persona to it, something you don't get too often."
Bradford left Sunday to be a camp counselor in Canaan Valley for the country roads running camp, which ends today.
"It's my first year helping with that," Bradford said of the overnight camp.
When asked if he had any other plans for the summer in terms of racing the ex-Big Red added "there's nothing else on the agenda.
"I'm just waiting to get back to school. I'm looking forward to getting back with some of the college boys."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com