OohRah Run Series point system starts with Spring Salute 5k

By Jim Dresbach, Pentagram Staff WriterApril 4, 2014

OohRah Run Series point system starts with Spring Salute 5k
Anne-Marie Guthrie gives Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gym Facility Manager Cliff Holcomb a high-five during the final yards of the Spring Salute 5k, which began and ended at Henderson Hall's Smith Gymnasium April 2. Guthrie finished the Joint Base Myer-Hender... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - With the start of April 2's Spring Salute 5k race on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, a new wrinkle has been added to the OohRah Run Series.

Consistency of performance will be rewarded to top runners through a point system that has been introduced to the five-event series. Following the Oct. 22 Remembrance 5k Race, the series' top point earners will be named and honored.

"What we've decided to do is to make a true race series where we award points for the different age groups both per race and the overall [season], and then we will recognize the overall winners - male and female," explained Marine Corps Community Services Health Promotion Coordinator Akida Jordan.

Jordan said that first-, second- and third-place series winners will be recognized as well as top series finishers in four age groups. Top series finishers will receive commemorative shirts, trophies and gift certificates.

In each race, runners will earn points that will accumulate throughout the season. A maximum of 10 points can be earned for a race victory and runners-up get 7 points, third place - 5 points, fourth place- 3 points and fifth place lands a runner a single point.

The remainder of the OohRah race season includes May 21's Iwo Jima 7k, Chesty's 5k Race (June 25), Devil Dog 7k and the Remembrance 5k.

Two other Smith Gymnasium-based races, the Navy Mutual Aid Association 3k and the 5k Turkey Trot are not OohRah Run series races.

To be eligible for season-ending awards, a runner must finish at least three races in the series. For full OoRah Run Series rules, visit www.mccshh.com.

Earning 10 series points in the male division was Boston Marathon-bound Joe Galvin, who finished with the Spring Salute's top time of 15 minutes and 47 seconds. Brian Daugherty was second in 17:06 and Daniel Richard's 17:45 time earned him third place.

Yuko Whitestone (19:34) was the top female finisher while Lisa Hamp (20:59) was second and Hazziel Ramos (21:47) was third.

One hundred fourteen runners registered for the Spring Salute 5k, which was rescheduled from March 26 due to inclement weather.