Bramwell West Virginia, home of the early 20th century millionaire
coal barons and a scenic, peaceful, and friendly town was the setting for
the First Annual Coal River Shuttle Run, a 7 mile and 3.5 mile race.
After a relaxing evening and restful night at the Perry House Bed and
Breakfast where I enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Jim and Joyce
Bishop, owners and three other guests from Atlanta Georgia, Herb
Sneeden, Rick Maher and Jerry Williford, race day dawned a cool 74
degrees and partly sunny morning. The perfect day for a run through
main street Bramwell and down the Bluestone River.
Perfect weather for getting outside
The out and back 7-mile course used the 3.5-mile start line as the
turn around point in Pocahontas Virginia, home of the Exhibition Mine
and site of the first mine in the Pocahontas Coalfields. This made for
a pleasing and scenic course with stretches of flat and two
challenging hills for runners from West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia
and as far away as Missouri.
Finishing first in the Male division for the 3.5-mile course from
Pocahontas Virginia to Bramwell West Virginia was Richard Ferguson of
Danville Virginia (19:40). Ferguson has been running in various races
for the past twenty years. Taking first in the female division was
Rebecca Steorts (25:18) of Bluefield West Virginia. Steorts attends
Salem Academy Boarding School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
A scenic setting made for great running
Conquering first place in the male division for the 7-mile course was
Charlie Gray (37:54) of Lee's Summit Missouri. Gray was named
National Masters Runner of the Year in 1995 and has competed in three
Olympic trials. Gray and his wife Marge (55:48) who placed first in
her age group 40-44 said, it was a fun and challenging vacation run.
Winning first place in the female division was Staci Aulick
(53:40) of Huntington West Virginia.
The Historic and friendly town of Bramwell made for the perfect
setting for an early morning run. A special Thank you to Lillian
Pierce for her hard work as race director and for her generous
hospitality.
