I don’t know how many of you knew, or got to meet, Samuel A. Mumley.

For those of you that did, you remember how Sam was and what he did, especially for the kids.

For those of you that didn’t have the pleasure of crossing paths with Sam, you didn’t have the opportunity to meet one of the most generous and caring people in the world.

I had the chance to meet Sam when I came to the Ohio Valley in 1983 as a youthful sports editor in Weirton. Our first encounter was an Ohio Valley Athletic Conference meeting at Mehlman’s Cafeteria in St. Clairsville.

There I was, a fresh-out-of-college kid, having dinner, not only with Sam, but his late uncle Rudy, and sports writing legends Cal Pokas and Bill Van Horne – both of whom has since passed – along with veteran scribes Nick Bedway and Doug Huff.

Talk about being intimidated!

Well, there wasn’t time to be in awe of my surroundings as Sam quickly made me feel right at home with his Ohio Valley hospitality. He made me feel as though I grew up in the valley, and that truly helped me adjust to life on my own in a strange place.

Now I know what is meant by “for the kids.”

I guess, in Sam’s eyes, I was a kid among men back then. Well, to tell the truth, I was.

With Saturday’s Memorial Classic 5K Run/Walk so-deservedly named in his honor, it was as though Sam was smiling down upon the city.

“Today is a day the day that Sam Mumley comes back to town and sees all of us do it for the kids,” said Race Director Jodi Hill. “I know he had something to do with the weather and the turnout. God loves Sam Mumley.”

The weather conditions were ideal, and the turnout she referred to was a record. A total of 254 competitors took to the streets, with countless numbers of volunteers scurrying across the hilltop offering whatever type of assistance that was needed.

“We usually average around 200 participants, but this race is getting bigger and better every year,” Hill noted.

An ‘In’ With Mother Nature?

I don’t know what it is about St. Clairsville.

Maybe it’s that the city sits high atop a hill and is closer to the sun. Nice thought!

It just seems like every time I attend a function – be it a city council meeting, a baseball game, or a civic event – Mother Nature is always kind to the city and event organizers.

And Saturday was no different.

Good Ole’ Mrs. N. was on her best behavior once again Saturday as she supplied the 10th annual Samuel A. Mumley Memorial Classic 5K Run/Walk with superb conditions for all concerned.

Cornering Mayor Robert Vincenzo, I asked him what the city’s secret was in getting good weather for almost all of its events.

“What we try to do is start forecasting like six months ahead of time. We continually monitor the conditions as we get closer to race day, then we write an ordinance not allowing anything but good weather to come into the city at this time,” he jokingly offered.

Scholarships Presented

A trio of St. Clairsville graduating seniors received scholarships which were derived from the proceeds from the race, which is sponsored by the St. Clairsville Sunrise Rotary Club. They included Megan Wowrer, Seth Wenger and Zachary Williams.

In addition, Sunrise Rotary also presented a $5,000 check to Sheila Perkins, library director, to help with renovations and other expenses.

When is 80 not 80?

St. Clairsville resident Don Crumbaker spent Saturday celebrating his 80th birthday while attending the race. He had his blue No. 80 walker’s number on, even though he didn’t compete.

However, when I asked if he was indeed 80, he replied, “No. I am celebrating 40 twice!”

The Next Ohio Valley Idol?

St. Clairsville student Cecelia Favede, daughter of councilwoman and soon-to-be Belmont County Commissioner, Ginny Favede performed a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner prior to the race.

She was seen receiving plaudits from many of those in attendance.

Category Not Recognized

There was one entrant which didn’t fit into any of the categories that were listed, but that didn’t stop Bullwinkle, a 2-year-old chocolate Labrador, from finishing the course.

North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com