Jan 27 2009
White Grass 5k Snowshoe Race
I local XC purist once said ”what’s this running craziness, this is Canaan Valley, we ski in the winter”. This weekend runners and skiers alike enjoyed perfect conditions for fun in the sun at White Grass Touring Center . Twenty runners strapped on their snowshoes for the annual 5k trek through the Snow Farm and single track wooded trails of White Grass. Bill Kelch from Knoxville had such a good time last year that he and Mary Leitnaker had to come back. Jim Wittenschlaeger of Morgantown and Jennifer Lipscomb of Elkins captured the First Place men and women award. Jim, who has run the 5k before, was pushed hard by first time shoer Scott Pleban and Troy Lenderking. Race officials were caught off guard with speedy finish. Another newbie to snowshoe racing, ultrarunner Donna Rostant, took home a prize for her age group win. Everyone had a fantastic time both on the trail and enjoying the post run cool down at the White Grass Cafe.
Many thanks to Chip and Laurie and all the folks at WG.
Lehmann photos and some way better photos by Martin Fernandez, thanks Martin.
| Place | Name | Age | M/F | Time | Award |
| 1 | Jim Wittenschlaeger | 23 | M | 26:07 | First Men Open |
| 2 | Scott Pleban | 44 | M | 26:17 | First Men 40 & Over |
| 3 | Troy Lenderking | 41 | M | 26:25 | |
| 4 | Sid Gillispie | 33 | M | 28:12 | First Men 39 & Under |
| 5 | Mark Thorne | 51 | M | 30:35 | |
| 6 | DJ Shalvey | 24 | M | 32:44 | |
| 7 | Jonathan Painter | 25 | M | 33:49 | |
| 8 | Phil Epstein | 49 | M | 35:13 | |
| 9 | Andy Core | 37 | M | 35:36 | |
| 10 | Jennifer Lipscomb | 34 | F | 36:34 | First Female Open |
| 11 | Melissa Potter | 26 | F | 38:27 | First Female 39 & Under |
| 12 | Donna Rostant | 49 | F | 39:21 | First Female 40 & Over |
| 13 | Jamie Arbogast | 32 | F | 48:38 | |
| 14 | Bill Kelch | 63 | M | 50:59 | |
| 15 | Mary Leitnaker | 55 | F | 51:35 | |
| 16 | Calder Thorne | 10 | M | 1:03:13 | |
| 17 | Walter Veselka | 30 | M | 1:05:30 | |
| 18 | Sarah Veselka | 30 | F | 1:05:30 | |
| 19 | Mary Luckini | 24 | F | 1:05:30 | |
| 20 | Hollis & Daniel | Sweep |