Concord University-Athens, WV
Concord University-Athens, WV
About Us
"Best family-oriented race event of the year!"
The Kevin O'Sullivan Classic 5k is an annual fundraising event for the Five Aces Scholarship Fund at Concord University. The late Kevin O'Sullivan - along with several other educators at Concord University - started the Five Aces Scholarship in the early 80's to assist deserving students in need. Sadly, stories of students facing temporary setbacks and unable to meet certain financial obligations are many. They often have no other choice than to drop out of college. The Five Aces Scholarship was born for the sole purpose of assisting these hard-working dedicated West Virginia students who are enrolled, in good standing and actively pursuing their academic degree at Concord University but have simply fallen on difficult times. Five Aces Scholarship Fund is there to keep dreams alive and your support of this ongoing effort helps deserving students remain focused on their future.
The Concord University Foundation administers and distributes funds in accordance with established guidelines set forth by the University.
Irish Water Stations
Two water stations with Irish music blazin' and energetic support!
5k Run - 3k Walk - 800 meter Kids Fun Run
There is something for everyone! The Luck of the IRISH is in us ALL!
purpose driven.Purpose lead
Kevin O'Sullivan
Kevin O’Sullivan, a native of Brooklyn, NY and longtime resident of Athens, WV was an inspiration and mentor to all he encountered in life. From his boisterous yet welcoming voice, engaging smile and extremely approachable and outgoing personality, he lived every day of his life having never met a stranger.
As a young boy growing up in New York Kevin developed a fondness and passion of athletics - especially running - that he carried with him throughout life. As a soldier in the Army and as a scholarship athlete at Mississippi State University, he continued to refine and perfect his love for running. He went on to establish multiple track and field records while running for the Bulldogs in college.
After college, marrying his wife Anne and enduring a couple of brief professional stops, with two small children in tow, Kevin and family relocated to West Virginia, where his family grew to six children. He began his professional path at Concord College, now University, as Director of Student Affairs. His long and distinguished four-decade career at Concord provided him the opportunity to positively impact and guide the lives of many young adults who were working on their own respective paths in life.
In Kevin’s early years of living in southern West Virginia with his continued enthusiasm for running, he turned his attention to helping form the Southern WV Road Runners Club. The Club set the stage for encouraging people of all ages to find and develop their own passion for the sport of running.
As Kevin’s professional career carried him into his golden years, he again found a way to continue his love of sports and life of mentoring young adults by spending his time as Concord’s Men’s Golf coach. A commitment he honored for 10 years. It was an effort he was paid for, but in true Kevin style every penny of compensation was donated back to the program.
A man of particularly deep and passionate faith, Kevin believed in a life of service to all. He spent much of his free time dedicated to serving others through organizations such as Catholic Charities, where volunteering in Louisiana following the destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina was but one of his many charitable efforts in life.
Kevin, along with several friends and colleagues, through equal measure humility and caring, ensured a legacy of giving would carry on in their absence with the development of the Five Aces Scholarship at Concord. Funded through charitable contributions, the Five Aces Scholarship Fund is a celebration of Kevin’s life and continues to honor his memory of caring and giving by keeping the dreams of others alive even in his absence.
Photo Gallery
2022 SPONSORS
2022 Proud Sponsors of the 7th running of the Kevin O'Sullivan Classic 5k is growing.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact us.
OLYMPIAN SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
Dr. Chris Parrish, D.O.
SILVER SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSOR
Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home
Tattersall Consulting
SUPPORTERS
Concord University
Southern West Virginia Road Runners Club
Town of Athens
Southern West virginia Road Runners Club
Kevin O'Sullivan Classic 5k is a proud member of the SWVRRC Four Seasons Series
Every year the SWVRRC has a Four Seasons Series. The series is based on the most popular raced that our members ran the previous year. Points are calculated for the top 10 races using a point system. Using the points provided, runners keep track of each race they participate in during the season and points they ear. At the end of the season, they select their (10) best race scores, record and total them. The top ten winners receive a long sleeve tee, specially designed and the top male and female each receive an additional award.
Please visit the SWVRC site below for more information.