2004 Mountain State Trail Run Series

The Mountwood 10 Mile Challenge was the initial race in the MSTR Series at Mountwood Park on April 17.  The Challenge was a new event this year, but running is not new to Mountwood. The many miles of trail are enjoyed all year long by area runners and mountain bikers. Craig Pyles and the local mt bikers worked hard to put the race together. 38 runners "Hit the Trail" for 10+ miles of twisting, moderately hilly, single-track running. Adam Casseday took First Place Open with a 1:21:34, but he was closely trailed by Randy Gibbs who came in right on his heels at 1:21:43. Nathan Malcomb took Third Place with a 1:25:32. In the Women's Open Heather Bury led the pack to finish at 1:29:27. Sharon Marks was Second at 1:42:11 and Third Place Open went to Kelly Holipsky 1:48:06.  Check complete  Results and Photos.  Below are the scores of MSTR Series participants. There is still plenty time to jump into the Series and enjoy the trail running coming up in the next five races!
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The Dirty Dog 15k was great fun for all that participated, runners and dogs! There was a new runner to hit the trails, Lucky Flood, a short-legged 4 year old Jack Russell Terrier. He was the "first dog" and undoubtly helped his buddy Mark Flood to the finish.  This was another new trail race and we thank Dan and Tracey Todd for all the work they did putting the event together.
It was a close finish for 1st place between Male Master Jeff Jordan 1:16:29, and Open Male Bill Young 1:16:39. 1st in the women was Master Female Rachel Toor running 1:27:54 and 2nd was another Master Female Joni Adams with a 1:34:51. The Masters were running strong in the heat and humidity today. Go here for Results  and  Photos.
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The Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon was a real success according to Race Director Mark Thorne. The 4th year for this Rails to Trails run brought a record 245 runners to Morgantown. The weather cooperated with cool temps and overcast skies with only a hint of mist occaisionally throughout the morning. Deckers Creek was the 3rd race in the MSTR Series and the last chance for runners to enter and get four races. Of course, I know, we're doing this for the joy of running not the points! 
This event was a little different than the previous trail runs or any to follow. There weren't any streams to cross, logs to hurdle, or rocks to bring you to the ground. Don't count on anything this smooth or hill-less in the rest of the Series.
For the complete Half Marathon results and photos go to IplayOutside. Congratulations to everyone.
See you at Hard as a Rock on July 24th.
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The inaugural of the Hard as a Rock 5 M & 20 K races attracted a total of 86 runners between both distances. Interestingly all those entered in the MSTR Series opted for the 20k course. The weather at Coopers Rock was near perfect for a late July run. The course was entirely on trail, mostly all single track. As promised by race directors Don Parks and Rocky Kimble there were plenty of rocky sections to add to the challenge. Overall the grades were very runable and you could negotiate all the stream crossing without getting wet.
The 1st Place Men's Overall went to Derek Clark with a 1:30:18, but hot on his heels for 2nd was Bradley Mongold who finished 12 seconds behind running a 1:30:30! 3rd Place Overall went to Will Hunter with 1:32:36, and Joel Rodgers took 4th Place and 1st in the Series competition. 
Kelly Holipsky was the 1st Place Women's Overall winner running 2:02:04, and Joni Adams brought in 2nd Place at 2:06:43. 3rd place went to Alice Vernon with 2:23:48, and 4th to Jen Robertson with 2:25:30. Congratulations to all who dared to run the ROCK.
Big thank you to Rocky and Anna Kimble, Heather Bury, Don Parks, and Jody Lehmann..... plus all the helpful volunteers.
Go to  Results, Photos  and  Iplayoutside, for complete results and more information.
See you at the Helvetia 10k Mountain Run on September 12th, 5th race in the MSTR Series.
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The 7th running of the Helvetia 10k Mountain Run marked the 5th race in the Series and things are shaping up for an exciting finish next month at New River. Perfect late summer weather was with us for the entire weekend.
The course was dry and fast, and new men's course record was set by Larry Taylor.  Larry bested his own 2001 time by 12 seconds running a blazing 35:51. Simon Isaacs, 38:59, gave "The Old Buzzard" a race for a while, but Larry was determined to beat his previous course record. He said he knew he had to make it to the top of the mountain, mile 4.5, in under 28:00 to have a chance .....and he did.
1st Place Women's went to Heather Bury running a 46:34. Heather also holds the women's course record set in 2003. The perennial Helvetia 10k runner Rebecca Schoonover captured Women's 2nd Place with a 49:01.
Not one to add fuel to the fire....but I, like everyone, love a good race. In the Series competition the race is on between Bill Young and Jeff Jordan in the Overall Men's. They ran a tough race today with Jeff coming across the finish at 41:14 and Bill at 41:17.  In the Overall Women's Heather Bury leads with Susan Treen and Joni Adams close at 2nd and 3rd. The MSTR Series is still wide open so be sure schedule the New River Gorge-ous Trail , October 9, 2004.
Results   Photos (including Saturday's fun) IplayOutside Coverage
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The final race in the Mountain State Trail Run Series was the New River Gorge-ous Trail Run at ACE Adventure Center in Minden, WV on October 9th.  The third year for this 7 or 15 mile run brought out a good crowd, several of which were competing in the Series. The fall coolness and colors made for a great trail running day....quite a relief from the mud and heat of last years July race!

Jeff Jordan 1:37:34, Bill Young 1:40:05, and Joel Rodgers 1:43:09 ran a tough race with Jeff edging out Bill for First Place Men Overall in the Series. Bill earned Second Overall and Joel took First in the 40-49 age group.
Kelly Holipsky 1:59:37, Joni Adams 2:00:29, and Susan Treen 2:12:45 were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ladies to cross the finish. But Kelly's win wasn't enough to overcome the dynamic Joni's previous scores and Joni won First Place Women Overall in the Series. Kelly took first in the 30-39 age group and Susan got the First in the 40-49 age group. Congratulations to all the winners and all the participants listed below.

There were six runners who did all six races in the Series. For their effort they received a WVMTR hat....WOW!  The Mountain  Man and Mountain Woman Award went to Bill Young and Elaine Wykle. Photo

Photo Gallery      IplayOutside coverage

Many thanks to our sponsors Ace Adventure, Finish Line, Dicks Sporting Goods, SportMart and to all the Race Directors and Race Volunteers.

Watch for the 2005 MSTR Series to be announced early in the year. Please send comments or suggestions to irun@starband.net .
 

FINAL SERIES RESULTS

RUNNERS COMPLETING ALL SIX RACES

Bill Young    Mountain Man Award

Elaine Wykle   Mountain Woman Award

Gary Wykle

Mark Flood

Gary Smith

Dan Lehmann

OVERALL BEST FOUR RACES  and TOTAL SERIES SCORE