Catamount Race to Homecoming 5K

* * * This race’s debut has been postponed until 2017 – stay tuned for details. * * * 

KEYSER, W.Va. — Join the Potomac State College campus and surrounding community as it celebrates the annual Catamount Homecoming with the inaugural Catamount Race to Homecoming 5K run and walk on _______________ in Keyser.

The official logo of the inaugural Catamount Race to Homecoming 5K was designed by former Potomac State College student Jake Marshall.

The official logo of the inaugural Catamount Race to Homecoming 5K was designed by former Potomac State College student Jake Marshall.

Along with reuniting with favorite professors and rekindling campus friendships with former classmates, the goal of the 5K is to help raise funds to purchase new equipment for the weight room inside Lough Gymnasium. In fact, Potomac State College already has reached out to a former student, Jake Marshall, who volunteered to design the official race logo.

The weight room is used by Catamount student-athletes to prepare for the upcoming season. Potomac State College has a rich history of student-athlete success. The men’s baseball team leads the way with seven appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series, including a national championship. The team’s many regional and district titles are surpassed only by the number of players who have moved on to NCAA Division I schools. The Catamount men’s basketball and softball teams recently advanced to the national tournament, while our women’s soccer team wrapped up an undefeated regular season and volleyball has won four straight conference championships. In addition, the men’s cross country team placed fourth at nationals in 2015.

Entry will open August 1. Both mail-in and online registration options will be available. Participants also can choose to sign up the morning of the event.

Course map

Click here for an interactive map (similar to Google Maps) with mile markers.

Course description

The 5K course is a road race (primarily asphalt with a small stretch on a gravel lane). It is a single loop on and around campus. Runners and walkers will stage in front of the Mary F. Shipper Library on Campus Drive and head out onto Fort Avenue with a soft left turn. The next turn comes at about the half-mile mark, a left, onto what turns into Parkview Drive. Participants will race past the Agricultural Technology Building, the Greenhouse and the Hospitality Demonstration Kitchen before nearing the turnaround point in Hoover Hollow just past the Upper Farm. After reaching the turnaround point, runners and walkers will retrace their steps on a gradual descent before a right turn onto Walnut Street. This marks the bottom of the race course’s first of five notable ascents. This first hill is less than one-tenth of a mile, and ends with a left turn onto D Street.

A right turn onto Arnold Lane starts the second climb of the morning — about the same distance as the first, though more gradual — before turning right and passing in front of the Church-McKee Arts Center. Runners and walkers will cross the parking lot overlooking the softball field, then Stayman Field, before taking the gravel lane between Stayman Field and the Golden Park baseball field. Participants will begin their third ascent when the Indoor Riding Arena is on their left. A welcome downhill awaits participants as they run onto Chestnut Street before taking a left onto Valley View Avenue for their fourth uphill segment — another climb of about one-tenth of a mile. At the top, runners and walkers prepare to make a 45-degree turn onto Crescent Drive. Once they reach Arnold Street and make a right-hand turn, the finish line is in line. All they’ll have to do is complete their fifth and final climb — the most gradual yet — before finishing on Campus Drive near Academy Hall and the Administration Building by the Quad.

Water station

There will be one water station located on the course. It will be situated shortly after the 2-mile mark. Water also will be available to all participants after crossing the finish line.

T-shirts

Online and mail-in registrations received on or before Sept. 18 will be guaranteed to receive a short-sleeve moisture-wicking tech shirt in conjunction with their entry. The shirt will feature former Potomac State College student Jake Marshall’s event logo, with the Catamount claw and th wind turbines in WVU colors.

Awards

The top overall male and female finishers will receive awards, as will the top finisher in each of the following age groups (male and female): 0-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-plus. The race director reserves the right to add or subtract from these age divisions based on the pre-registration process.

Safety

Participants will stay on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, at all times. The roads will not be closed during this event. Participant safety is of the utmost importance. If in doubt, let the motorist by before attempting to cross a street. Course marshals will be stationed at key points along the course. In addition, highly visible “CAUTION: Runners on the Road” signs will be strategically located to alert motorists in the area that a footrace is in progress. The wearing of headphones is not prohibited but is strongly discouraged. No dogs allowed. Please keep Fido at home.

Strollers

Strollers are welcome, but participants with strollers are asked to start at the back of the pack to avoid any unnecessary, potential contact with other participants.

Timing / Results

Timing is provided by the Potomac Highlands Distance Club. Complete race results will be posted online at www.phdispatch.com by about dinnertime on race day.