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The 9th annual Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship Twilight 5-Mile Run and 2-Mile Fun Walk will be held, rain or shine, on Friday, July 10, starting at 7 p.m. at the Wharf Street Parking Garage along the Caperton Trail in Morgantown.
The cost to register for the run/walk before July 8 is $30. Anyone who registers before July 8 will receive a free t-shirt. Registration on the day of the event is $35. Registration is under way now at www.jimdunnrun.com.
The event is held in honor of the late Jim Dunn, well-known to the Morgantown community as manager of Pizza Inn and Pargo’s, a Special Olympics coach and volunteer with many youth sports activities. A 1972 WVU graduate, Jim came to Morgantown from Rochester, Pa., on a scholarship and spent four years on WVU’s storied men’s track and field team under the leadership of Coach Stan Romanoski.
After his death in 2007, his wife Darlene established the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship, managed by Your Community Foundation, as a lasting tribute to her husband. The scholarship supports runners and the running sports throughout West Virginia by granting financial assistance to one or more high school senior athletes who have been accepted to run on a track or cross country team in college.
“Since 2007 we have awarded 18 scholarships worth $1,000 each throughout the state,” said Darlene Dunn. This year’s winners are Michael Duez of Bridgeport High School, who will attend West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Joshua McClung of Herbert Hoover High School, who will attend the University of Charleston.
“In addition to raising money for our annual scholarships, we’re extending our outreach this year to include two community leaders in our event,” Mrs. Dunn said. “We’ve identified Stepping Stones of Monongalia County as a co-benefactor of our event, and we’re proud to have Morgantown resident and ultramarathon runner Jamie Summerlin as our race ambassador this year.
“Jamie will join us on the Caperton Trail and participate in our awards ceremony following the race,” she said. “He’ll be selling signed copies of his new book Freedom Run, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit veteran-focused charitable organizations.”
The race itself will start at the Wharf with runners and walkers heading in opposite directions on the Caperton Trail. It’s a favored course and the 5-miler is part of the Morgantown Grand Prix Series. Details about the courses are posted at www.jimdunnrun.com.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. and parking around the immediate area and in the parking garage is free on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dinner from Oliverio’s and beverages from Mona Supply and Pepsi are included in the registration fee. Additional meals may be purchased online or on the day of the event for $15.
Any individual, business or organization can make a tax-deductible donation to the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of YCF, P.O. Box 409, Morgantown, WV 26507. The original donation and all additional contributions are invested by YCF to increase their value, with net income from those investments used each year to support the scholarship awards.
YCF is a charitable, non-profit organization that encourages, develops and manages endowment funds and uses the net proceeds to support a long list of community programs and scholarships. The foundation manages assets and pledged assets of more than $12 million and administers more than 160 separate funds.
Information about YCF and a description of its endowment funds is available at www.ycfwv.org or by calling (304) 296-3433.
For information about the Jim Dunn fund, visit www.JimDunnRun.com or call 304-282-2642.