REPORTS - RESULTS - PHOTOS

MSTR #1 Saturday April 22 - Mountwood Challenge 12 Mile Trail Run

    Today was a great day. The weather was perfect ( 1.5 inches of rain ) the trails were perfect ( 2 inches of mud ) and the company was perfect. Today a small group of dedicated people chose Mountwood park as the place they would test there resolve and physical ability. Luckily we all did it together.
     This was the third annual Challenge At Mountwood and every year we seem to get a little better organized with a little better turnout. The event went smoothly except for a few people becoming misguided. I will blame myself for that because I did say “the trail is marked so good that no one could ever get lost”. Famous last words.
     I would like to thank the many, many volunteers that spent countless hours to try and make this year a success. Joe Corra ( RCR PRES. ) spent many hours making sure I didn’t miss anything, thanks for your patience. Dorsey Cheuvront for sponsoring us. The JROTC kids from Parkersburg High School. RVMBA for taking great care of the trails and setting up the course. Sharon Marks & Chip Allman, I know the trail run wouldn’t exist without your support. My DAWGS, you know who you are. Great Shirt Vin.
     Here are just a few of the things that I encountered Saturday.
    A War Protestor – I guess that she found out how much political power us trail runners have in Washington. She seemed friendly enough, I even gave her some Gatorade. I think that the Veteran’s that run the concession stand encouraged her to move on. I heard a rumor that they wanted to show her the meaning of Patriotism.
    Gary Smith – He came from the mountains to represent the WVMTR while Dan was over East playing in the rain. I think that Gary loves trail running and the WVMTR and represented himself and the club quite well.
    Chris Bennon – Chris is an exceptional runner that I know in passing from seeing him run all over Parkersburg. I was glad to see him out in the woods. After the race was over I asked if he was going to run the Dirty Dog and he said he couldn’t. I asked why and he told me he was donating a kidney a few days before the race. How awesome is that.
    Dom Wyzomirski – What a pleasant person to talk to. I was glad that he decided to come back again this year. I am especially proud that I pronounced his name correctly during the awards ceremony. I butchered it last year.
    Dean Banzinger, Miranda Shackleford, and Sarah Burgess – Sorry that you became misguided. I wish I could make it up. Well, I consider it even with Dean, he did get to do a great face plant. Mud is soft.
    Barb & Steve Varner – Came to Mountwood for a challenge and found one.  After the race was over they were so humbled and genuinely thankful. It was a pleasure to meet them.
    Richard Morris- Drove from Blacksburg just to run in the race. He finished third overall so I guess the drive was worth it.
    The BEE brothers – They disappeared sometime after the race ended and reappeared during the awards ceremony. I guess that if you run that fast you get really hungry. They went on a lunch run.
     Joel Wolpert – Trail Runners beware, this kid is fast. 1:22:27 for a 12 mile trail race in the mud is incredible. While cleaning up I observed him and a friend passing Frisbee. I questioned him on how he could do this after running so hard. He replied by saying “ It was only 12 miles”. I hear that he just moved here form Conneticut. I wonder what they feed them up there.
    It sometimes isn’t the race that makes an event, and today this was the case. As I walked around freaking out worried about making sure everything was perfect I talked a tremendous amount of people. I think that the people that trail run is what attracts me to the sport. They seem to carry themselves a little differently. They never seem to be in a hurry and if you say HI!, be prepared for some discussion. It seems that everyone is a close knit family and you can tell that the discussions that take place aren’t idle chitter-chat but real genuine conversation. In this day and age of cell phones and high speed internet it’s nice to get together on the weekends and have a family reunion with my extended friends and family. See Y’all at the dog.

Thanks for a great series Dan.
Dave Shultz

Results Mountwood Challenge 12 Mile & 2 Mile           Iplay Photos and Coverage

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MSTR #2 Saturday April 29 - Babcock Gristmill Grinder Half Marathon

    When I left home Saturday at 5am heading south it was in the mid 30's.  I thought, darn we're in for another cold weekend of trail running.  But as the sun rose so did my spirits.  I pulled into Babcock State Park at 7:30 to sunny skies and only a slight chill.  I met  Donnie setting up signs and hanging a few last ribbons.  He beamed as he said "this is my first event in 13 years that will have beautiful weather". Donnie's fare has been sponsoring kayak races on the New and Gauley for years. I guess boaters get wet anyhow so why should a little rain bother them! Anyway the day was promising good running and the views of Glade Creek and the New River Gorge that we were deprived of last year.
    The new 13.1 mile course started with a loop around the lake. While weaving along the shores I could hear the friendly chatter of runners behind, there were many in front too but I couldn't hear them. A couple miles into the run Emily Chaney and Katie Aerni caught up, and passed.  I hung with the two young ladies for several miles. I appreciated their ability it talk effortlessly as they pulled away from me on the uphills, I would catch up some on the rocky downhill grades. I wonder how long these two front runners would hang together. They had just met and had a lot to discuss. It was neat. I last saw and heard them as we started up out of Glade Creek. Somewhere in the last mile they must have decided that someone had to win. Emily pulled ahead to finish 1:48:19 with Katie right behind at 1:49:20.
    Michael Bee handily took first finishing 1:30:00. The next three runners sprinted the last uphill to finish within a minute of each other. David Bee was second with a 1:33:42, Joel Wolpert 1:34:25, and Bradley Mongold at 1:34:47.
    It was a great day to run our West Virginia hills. Several met for post race nourishment at Pies and Pints. Thanks for a fine day Donnie and all your volunteers.    

See you at the Dirty Dog 15k on May 20.
DL

Results Babcock Half Marathon         Iplay Coverage and Photos
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MSTR #3  May 20, 2006 - Dirty Dog 15k Trail Run

Is that last Johnson Hollow downhill a blast or what?  A moderately steep grade, not too slick, plenty of turns and obstacles. A great finish to a fine run. The Dirty Dog has been growing in popularity with runners and dogs each of it's three years with 134 registered and 120 starters this year. The weather was perfect following a cold and wet week of West Virginia spring. It was great to see so many folks come out and enjoy the trails of Kanawha State Forest. I don't know who had more fun, the two legged or four legged runners. Runners will be styling in there micro-fiber T's and the dogs will be too with their new bandanas.  

This third year running of the Dog saw all previous records broken. First Place and a course record went to Brian Beckfort of Tell City, IN running 1:06:01 knocking over 7 minutes off last years best time. Likewise First Place woman Emily Chaney of Minden, WV set a new women's course record crossing the finish in 1:21:33 besting the previous 1:26:29. But the big news was Jack Gibbs of Sitka, OH, with company of his two-legged runner Randy Gibbs, broke the dog record with a 1:12:15 5th Place Overall finish!

Many thanks to Dan and Tracey Todd and the many volunteers for putting together the Dirty Dog.

The next MSTR Series race is not until September 10, the Helvetia 10k Mountain Run. Watch the WVMTR website for other club trail fun runs in the Mountain State.
DL

Dirty Dog 15K Results     Finish Line Photos     Iplayoutside coverage and photos
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MSTR #4  September 10, 2006 - Helvetia 10k Mountain Run

The 9th running of the Helvetia 10k and the 4th race in the Series topped of a weekend of fun in our small Swiss American community. By Friday evening the course was flagged and most everything was in place for Sunday's run. But we still had a parade, the fair, a 5 mile fun run, a cookout, Willie's brew, and a square dance to get through first on Saturday! The Sunday pre-dawn sky was moonlight clear. The heavy dew and low 50's of the late summer was refreshing. It is exciting setting up the finish line and registration in prep for the runners.    

We started off with a 1/4 mile Kids Run. There were only a handful, but they ran swift and were all smiles. The field of 10k runners was down this year with only 49 starters. Many were long time runners of the Mountain Run, some were new faces. A good time was had by all.

The final two races in the Series are coming up in October. See you at Valley Falls and then New River. 

Helvetia 10k Results      WVMTR Photo Gallery   
Megan Carroll's photoset on Flickr     Bill Potts' Photos on Flicker     Iplay coverage and photos
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MSTR #5  October 7, 2006  -  Valley Falls 10 Miler

The 5th race in the MSTR Series certainly captured one of the best fall running days of the season. The cool, crisp morning temps and warming sun were invigorating. It was a  perfect morning for a run through the colored foliage of Valley Falls State Park. It must have been the weather as several runners commented how much easier and enjoyable the race was compared to last year's cold rain. The Flood's homemade warm soup, sandwiches and sweets topped off a fine run.

As the Series draws to an end the scores are tightening.  We all run for the joy of the day, but it's fun to compete for the scores too. There may well be some changes and upsets depending on who shows up and what kind of day October 28 churns out. See you all at ACE for the New River Runs.

PS, Valley Falls added the 6 mile event after the Series was already posted. That race was therefore not part of the Series. Next year we may include both distances in the Series.

Results      WVMTR Gallery Photos      Iplay coverage and photos
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MSTR #6 October 28, 2006 - New River Gorge-ous Trail Run

The final race of the Series was threatening less than ideal weather conditions for Saturday morning. The pre-race hours were a mix of light rain and gusty winds.  But the leisurely late morning start gave everyone time to relax in the comfort of The Lost Paddle Lounge. By the time the 11:00 start rolled around temps had risen some and the rain stopped.  The trail was wet and quite muddy in places, but fortunately a course change from previous years eliminated the horse trail section with it's trodden mud and aroma.

The New River Races are composed a Long Course of 13.2 miles, and Short Course of 7.5 miles. Today the Short Course was a bit longer than planned. The Short started a few minutes before the Long and in the excitement the front runner took a wrong turn at the first intersection. Quick maneuvering by race officials intercepted the group and rerouted them back on course. They ran an extra mile just for fun. Check out Iplays coverage for more race details.

The MSTR Series offers some great trail running opportunities. Thanks to all who participated in the 2006 Series.  And thanks to all the Race Directors and their volunteers for giving us these runs through our West Virginia hills. Hope to see you all back next year.

The final scores are unpredictable until the final race. It is exciting to see the numbers evolve as the season progresses. Below are the final results, overall and age group winners, and special recognitions. I hope everyone enjoyed the six events. Look for the 2007 series early next year. There is a possibility of a couple new trail runs being added to the line up.

DL 

Results        Iplay Coverage and Photos        WVMTR photos  soon
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2006 MT STATE TRAIL RUN SCORES

Table 1 - Overall Cumulative Scores