Fun times experienced at annual Beach Blast

By Sarah Jane Rosser, Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 May 14, 2008 09:04 am

— Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation (ADDC) continued its string of fundraisers this year with the 16th Annual Beach Blast that brought many people to the downtown area.
Adults and children alike found activities around Courthouse Square Park to keep their interest. Inflatable obstacle courses kept children’s interests where as the adults gravitated toward vendors, the Night Shift DJ tent and the performance of Part Time Party Time band Saturday evening.
“We were very pleased with the turnout considering the weather we had been having over the last few weeks,” ADDC Executive Director Vicki Coggins said.
“I know there is always a lot of things going on competing for people’s time this part of the year.”
A few changes occurred this year, including the change in music that was available. In lieu of an opening band, the Night Shift DJ began at 4 p.m., providing tunes while crowds strolled the street.
Coggins said it was a very successful change on their part. She received a good response from those who attended.
The car show was also erased from the agenda this year because of the Cruisin’ Downtown Albemarle event which will takes place Friday evenings.
“It’s labor intensive to keep up with,” Coggins said.
“I think it worked out okay not to have it.
“We always continue to modify, adjust and tweak it so we don’t do the same thing each year.”
Part Time Party Time Band drew crowds to lawn chairs and individuals to the dancing area while listening to familiar tunes.
“I think it was a great event that our committee worked very hard to put together,” Coggins said.
“They started very early Saturday and stayed until late to put on a successful event.”
Included in the Beach Blast festivities was the 4th annual Beach Blast 5K run, which proved to be the best attended ever.
With 226 runners competing in the event, Vac and Dash owner and Uwharrie Running Club member Peter Ascuitto said it was their most successful event ever.
“The race went off well,” he said.
“We had 226 runners which was a record. It was an exciting race with a very close finish.”
First place finisher Matt Tyndall, a Pfeiffer University cross country runner, sprinted to the finish line, with Justin Sink following closely behind. Tyndall finished just one second above Sink with a time of 16 minutes and 55 seconds.
Maria Bartlett set a new record for the women this year with a time of 19 minutes and 28 seconds, breaking the course record set by Kelly Levie of Charlotte last year with a time of 19 minutes and 51 seconds.
Bartlett was one of 126 women who competed in the race, which proved to be an improvement.
In 2005 when the Beach Blast 5K began,, only 60 women gathered to compete with 75 men. This year, only 118 men gathered downtown to compete.
Included in the 226 runners, 70 of those competitors were from outside the county, which has also increased over the last four years.
Ascuitto thanked their sponsors, including the SNAP, Bank of Stanly and Farm Bureau Insurance.
“Uwharrie Running Club did an outstanding job of organizing the race,” Ascuitto said.
“We’re hoping to have 300 runners next year.”
Top Ten Finishers:
1 Matt Tyndall 16:55
2 Justin Sink 16:56
3 Joe Burris 17:52
4 Alex Thompson 18:24
5 Bob Seedlock 18:34
6 Jerry Loflin 18:40
7 Mark Dwyer 18:42
8 Jeff McClure 19:18
9 Patrick Hogan 19:23
10 Maria Bartlett 19:28

Sarah Jane Rosser can be contacted at snaponline26@carolina.rr.com.

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