It was one year ago this month that 18-year-old runner Kelly Watt died from the effects of heat stroke after training in 100° heat. Now Runner’s World magazine has an extended feature about him, entitled “The Last Run.” Writer Amby Burfoot lays out the narrative of Kelly’s run, medical crisis, and what’s gone on in his family’s life since. Even if you think you already know the story, it’s well worth the read.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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A thoughtful article on what appears to have been an exemplary young man.
Why did Kelly go running in that heat? Because he loved to run. Few who share that passion can claim that they’ve never run during similarly harsh conditions. It’s part of the experience.
Why did this tragedy strike Kelly and his family? This is of course the timeless, unanswerable question. The apparent grace with which his family has accepted his passing is a lesson to us all, however.
Now I feel reckless about running yesterday afternoon…but, I’m slow and not putting in those kinds of miles!
This was a real tragedy; it seems like the real danger was picking a place which was fairly remote and not being able to notify anyone. Had he run with a partner or someplace with greater pedestrian traffic (more passers-by) perhaps the intervention could have happened much sooner and he would have recovered.