Community

Jim Dunn Run: a 19-year tradition of altruism (and meteorology)

MORGANTOWN - Darlene Dunn, to paraphrase an old song by Bob Dylan, doesn't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Or, she said, on what day the rain will fall.

"Scattered showers expected," she said, chuckling. "Jim always makes it rain during the race. At least once."

She's referring to her late husband, Jim, whose memorial Jim Dunn Twilight 5-miler, steps off today - no matter the weather.

This will be the 19th," she said, "and I think it's rained every year except one."

No matter, she happily asserted Thursday.

That's because altruism always reigns at the run, she said, which raises money for college scholarships and SteppingStones.

From its complex at Mylan Park, SteppingStones offers sports and other recreational activities for its clients with special needs who may not have such opportunities otherwise.

High school seniors who plan on running track or cross country in college are the recipients of the scholarships - more than 50, in fact - that have been presented since the first race 19 years ago.

Jim Dunn was a Pennsylvania native who came to Morgantown and West Virginia University to do just that.

After graduation, he stayed in the University City. He and Darlene married and started their family here. He was a restaurant manager and booster of several community causes.

He died in May 2007 - and by July of that year, runners were lacing up their shoes for the inaugural race.

"It didn't take long for the stars to align," his widow said.

Monica Marietta, the executive director of SteppingStones, knows all about stars, she said.

For her, the race isn't just about the finishing line. It's also about family, she said, and all the stars therein.

One of the many SteppingStones stars is Jim Dunn's brother Jeff, who is a client and athlete, she said.

The other stars, she said, are easy to find.

"We are incredibly grateful to every runner, sponsor, volunteer and community partner who makes this event possible year after year," Marietta said.

"It's very heartening to just watch with SteppingStones," Dunn seconded. "The athletes always cheer for one another. If a runner falls during a race, another will come along and help him up. It's beautiful to see."

Today's race begins at 6 p.m. in the Wharf District.

The starting line is on Clay Street, next to the parking garage and Oliverio's Restaurant. Runners will advance to the Rail Trail and loop through Morgantown on the way back to the finish line at the garage.

If you haven't registered yet, you still have time, Dunn said. Just be at the garage starting at 4 p.m.

"We don't turn anyone away," she said.

The proceedings, as said, are rain or shine, in keeping with Jim Dunn's apparent weather proclivities.

"If it's lightning, we don't go," she said. "I think runners like being out in the elements."