Saturday, June 5, 2010 -- Morgantown, WV
Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon - MAGP #4
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This event was part of the Morgantown Area Grand Prix (MAGP) Series. There's no registration, no fee, and you only have to run 4 of 8 races to be eligible for year-end awards. Next Series event is the Spirit & Breath Challenge on July 3.
2010: [Details] [Coverage] [Photos] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]
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High Spirits, Gully Washers, and Mountain-Made Race Times on National Trails Day
Photos by Maria af Rolen with Story by Ella Belling, Race Director.
Racers Comments collected by Jason Chastain.
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This year's race attracted runners from fifteen states, and Washington D.C. Some participants came from as far away as Texas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, North and South Carolina, Alabama, and Illinois and ranged in age from 15 to 77.
The Deckers Creek Trail Half-Marathon is recognized as the fastest half-marathon in West Virginia. Runners were treated to beautiful misty mountain views and the rushing waterfalls of the adjacent Deckers Creek as they descended approximately 800 feet on the Deckers Creek Trail. Finish line festivities included a yummy buffet, massage from Beyond Relief, and mountain music by Josh Wanstreet and Mike Costello, Long Way Around, and Vince Farsetta before the award ceremony.
All runners faced the gully washers of the early morning but this did not seem to dampen the runner spirit or deter the fast runners.
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First place in the women's overall and coming in 9th was Jackie Rzepecki, from Rochester, Michigan with a time of 1:20:03.
The half-marathon celebrates National Trails Day, America's largest celebration of trails and the outdoors, held each year on the first Saturday in June.
All proceeds from the event help the Mon River Trails Conservancy manage and maintain the Mon River and Deckers Creek Trails.
This year's event raised over $12,000 for the rail-trails!
MRTC would like to thank the sponsors of the race:
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West Virginia University Hospitals supplied the bus shuttle to the race start.
Morgantown Roadrunners and Don Parks provided the race timing.
Rockin' music provided by Josh Wanstreet, Mike Costello, Long Way Around, and Vince Farsetta.
Refreshments were from Black Bear Burritos, Classics 3, Flying Fish and Company, Hampton Inn, Maxwell's Restaurant, Oliverio's Marketplace, Rosa Pasta & Pizza, Pepsi Bottling Company, Power Bar, and Waterfront Place Hotel.
With funding from Adventure's Edge, Boston Beanery, Dynamic Physical Therapy, Francis Enterprises, Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, MedExpress, Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pat Wildeman, Wamsley Cycles, Waterfront Jeep, WesBanco, and the city of Morgantown.
We also thank the many volunteers that provided race support at race registration, start, along the course, at water stops, and at the finish line.
Many thanks also to EMS, Morgantown Fire Department, city and county law enforcement for essential traffic control, cold-water sprays, and medical care. Your generosity and time made this a safe and successful event.
Thank you running community for your tremendous show of support for the rail-trails!
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What started as a cool and dry morning turned into a thunderstorm just in time for the start of the race.
The 13.1 mile course is challenging under ideal conditions, but as far as we know, none of the runners let the downpour keep them from testing their endurance and finishing the race.
Friends Deanne Williams from Marietta, Ohio and Mark Scarbro of Belpre, Ohio said, "The rain was actually better than sunshine. The course was great until the last section of pavement."
Davi and Lidia of Manassa, Virginia liked the rain too and agreed that the pavement section was the only part of the course they'd change.
Staci and Kirk from Cumberland, MD exclaimed, "The race was awesome and great! The water breaks were well placed and much appreciated."
Felio Perez from Colombia raced for the second year in a row. He said, "The softer trail was really good for my foot injury as there wasn't as much impact." This is his 3rd year in the US. Perez added, "Most of the marathons I've run are in city streets and I really prefer this one with the beautiful, natural scenery."
