Gobble Gallop 5K attracting runners to West Virginia University's Jackson's Mill this Thanksgiving Day

While she is no longer a Lewis County High School student, Jane Lew native Jaelyn Romans hopes to improve from her 2022 time. She placed third overall (out of 32 racers of all ages) and was the top female finisher out of 16 women.

“I’m already registered. I hope to always do better than I did before,” the former Lewis County High soccer and basketball athlete said. “I never stopped working out. I’ve been running every day — I usually run anywhere between three and five miles per day.”

A 5K run/walk covers a distance of 3.1 miles.

Romas, who is studying psychology, said continuing to play soccer for the Division III-Agnes Scott College Scotties (in Decatur, Georgia) also helped her stay in shape before her upcoming week-long holiday break.

“It’s also nice to see familiar faces that I haven’t seen in awhile,” she said. “It’s also nice to stand around and talk to my mom’s old colleagues. My mom, Jennifer, will come to watch sometimes, too.”

Thirty-two racers participated in the fourth-annual Gobble Gallop held on Thanksgiving Day at WVU Jackson’s Mill. The first-place finish was awarded to Lincoln Roane of Jane Lew; second place to Owen Debar of Weston; and third place to Romans.

Participants came from Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Online registration, which is $5, remains open at webscorer.com/register?raceid=326383 until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Registration will also be offered the morning of the race beginning at 9 a.m.

More information is available by calling Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital officials at 304-517-8612

More 5Ks involved in the monthly racing series coordinated by the hospital and Pace Yourself Lewis County will include:

— the Cocoa and Cookies Walk/Run at 10 a.m. Dec. 18

— the Snowball Walk/Run at 10 a.m. Jan. 13

— the Groundhog Walk/Run at 10 a.m. Feb. 3

— the Snake Chase in Ireland at noon March 17

— the American Cancer Society Color Run on April 20 and

- the 14th annual Weston 5k on June 15

“As a community hospital, we strive to promote healthy living and provide opportunities for people to get involved locally,” Kevin Stalnaker, Chief Administrative Officer at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, said. “This 5K series is a fun way to bring the community together and encourage healthy activity.”

Mon Health System, part of Vandalia Health, is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals in North Central West Virginia that works together to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to the communities it serves.