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June 1, 2002
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Marathon 20, State #14 (Age 33)
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Cairo, West Virginia
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3:49:14
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2002 was the 24th annual running of this quaint marathon. Since this is the only marathon in West Virginia many runners across the country travel to complete this race as their West Virginia marathon. Runners at the optional pre-race meeting were from states as far away as Maine, Utah, Washington, Florida, and Canada. Only about 175 runners participated. There was a 7:00am start for the marathon with an optional 5:00 am start for those who were walking or needed a little extra time. The race director discouraged walkers and did not promise water stops the first few miles for early starters.
One of the memories I have of this race is that I every triathlon and marathon I had competed on was a Sunday morning race. I marked race weekend for the marathon on my 2001 calendar and drive down to West Virginia on Saturday morning. Thinking that I would have a day to relax at the campground before race morning Sunday, but as I searched for packet pickup I was surprised and let down that the race was not only already underway, but nearly every runner had already crossed the finish line. I was devastated yet at the same time accepted my mistake and decided to make it a training weekend and perhaps check out some of the course. A year later in 2002 I learned from my mistake and arrived Friday!
2002 was the 24th running of the Ridge Runner Marathon. The course is very challenging and very few people seem to have repeated the course.
2002 course was not the standard race course because of local bridge construction. The race director said this made for an easier course. I'd hate to have seen the regular course! The Marathon starts in North Bend State Park in northwestern West Virginia. The first mile is mostly up hill. Containing some difficult hills, the mostly paved course ranges from 700 to 1,100 feet in elevation. As you leave the park on Rt. 14 the course takes a left on Rt. 31 and continues on this road all the way to Harrisville. The road winds through beautiful trees and rolling hills. There is not a lot of traffic so the runners seemed to take advantage of cutting every possible tangent.
In Harrisville the course continues straight as the road turns into Rt. 16. There hills to not get any easier as you approach Ellenboro there is one hill that goes up for over a mile commonly referred to "ball breaker hill" from all the runners I passed as they began to slow down! In Ellenboro the course makes a loop onto the North Bend Rail Trail. This trail is unpaved and makes up about 8 miles of the course. As a relief the path is very flat except for a bridge over Rt. 16 in Ellenboro.
We all hoped the trail would take us to the finish line, but at mile 24 the course takes a left onto a gravel road and climbs steeply up for another mile. At about mile 25 you re-enter the park and continue all the way to the camp ground. The finish line and start line are not in the same place, the finish is about another 3/4 mile past the turn off for the start. Most of mile 25 to 26 is downhill. A small crowd awaits friends and family at the finish line.
Aid stations are spaced about every 2 miles along the route. Water and All Sport were available at every aid station.
I managed to place 2nd in my age group. Although a small pack, I gave the first place in my age group a run for his money. As the race began I counted 20 runners that sprinted ahead at the beginning of the race. As a runner would pass me I would add or subtract where I thought I was overall.
Two runners past me on the way to Harrisville, and for the most part I could keep them in sight. I walked up most of the hills hoping to make a strong finish on the flat trail later in the course. Once I entered the trail I caught one of the runners that had earlier passed me. He was from Colorado and I managed to stay with him all 8 miles on the flat section.
We passed two other runners that were in our age group that had hit the wall. When we got to mile 24 the steepest hill on the course I refused to walk and tried not to lose any distance on him. At the top of the hill I tried to make my move and gave every last bit of energy to sprint past him.
He quickly picked up his pace and wouldn't let me pass. He said, "you may win, but I won't let you win easily." We nearly sprinted all the way to the finish line from mile 25 to mile 26. My heart rate was 185 and no longer could I keep up the pace, so I surrendered and he beat me by about 10 seconds taking first place in our age group and I got 2nd place and 13th overall.
North Bend State Park offers camping as well as a lodge. Both fill up early so call ASAP for reservations. (800) CALL WVA or (304) 643-2931.
North Bend State Park Rt. 1 Box 221 Cairo, WV 26337
Directions: Located in the north-western section of the state, North Bend is easily accessible from four-lane U.S. 50 which stretches across north central West Virginia from Parkersburg to Clarksburg. Driving east, take U.S. 50 to junction of WV 31 (21 miles). Take WV31 to Cairo and follow signs to the park. Driving west, take WV16 to Harrisville and follow signs to the park.
For those not interested in running the marathon, race day also includes a 10-mile event. The 10 mile race starts 2 hours after the marathon and finishes the same place as the marathon.
The Ridge Runner Marathon also coincides with the North Bend Rail Trial Festival which includes mountain bike rides, sounds of the trail contest, and a luminary walk. Dinner and music are provided at the post-race celebration.
There is also horse back riding in the area and along the rail trail.
North Bend Rail Trail extends from Parkersburg to Clarksburg - 72 miles of unpaved trail. As far as food, there is not single restaurant in the county that serves alcohol. In other words there are no fine dining places like we are accustomed to in the city. The lodge offers a pre-race carbo meal which I recommend.
http://www.wvrtc.org/
http://www.northbendsp.com/
http://www.northbendsp.com - State Park Website
http://www.northbendsp.com/Special/special.html - Link from Park Website to www.active.com for registration
http://www.iplayoutside.com - WV sports website
http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2002/06/5092r.html - Official Results
Saturday, June 1, 2002 -- Cairo, WV
24th Annual North Bend Ridge Runner Races (iPO Event Id#: 5092)
| Place | Name | HomeTown | Sex | Age | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | |||||
| 1 | Walchli, Gregg | Belfair AZ | M | 40 | 3:07:30 |
| 2 | Hodge, Philip | Dallas TX | M | 36 | 3:18:41 |
| 3 | Hoyer, Russ | Voorheesville NY | M | 42 | 3:21:45 |
| 4 | Jensen, Paul | Wardsboro VT | M | 58 | 3:25:33 |
| 5 | Marroquin Sr, Joseph E | Duncannon PA | M | 55 | 3:29:59 |
| 6 | Chatman, Ernie | Brooksville FL | M | 52 | 3:36:44 |
| 7 | Basham, Frank | Huntington WV | M | 54 | 3:36:54 |
| 8 | Pyle, Richard | Richmond VA | M | 52 | 3:37:08 |
| 9 | Jones, Troy | W Lafayette OH | M | 35 | 3:37:25 |
| 10 | Panzak, Bob | Merritt Island FL | M | 36 | 3:41:55 |
| 11 | Golding, Pete | Newville PA | M | 47 | 3:45:33 |
| 12 | McCabe, Ryan | Denver CO | M | 30 | 3:48:55 |
| 13 | Schweinhagen, Brian | Galloway OH | M | 33 | 3:49:14 |
| 14 | Sullenberger, Lance | Reston VA | M | 31 | 3:55:09 |
| 15 | Lengen, Bill | Avon Lake OH | M | 48 | 3:58:09 |
| 16 | Forbeck, Mike | Pittsburgh PA | M | 44 | 3:59:17 |
| 17 | Trump, Pete | Beavercreek OH | M | 48 | 3:59:31 |
| 18 | Faust, Mark | - | M | 42 | 3:59:33 |
| 19 | Huttunen, John | Rockport MA | M | 51 | 3:59:37 |
| 20 | Terbush, Alan | Richmond VA | M | 24 | 4:01:29 |
| 21 | Helbig, Greg | Morgantown WV | M | 46 | 4:02:56 |
| 22 | Thomas, James | Castleton NY | M | 55 | 4:03:43 |
| 23 | Edlerbroom, Susan | Schenectady NY | F | 49 | 4:03:53 |
| 24 | Boggess, Scott | Alexandria VA | M | 38 | 4:06:25 |
| 25 | Robinson, Ira | Texarkana TX | M | 61 | 4:07:25 |
| 26 | Winkel, Marty | Titusville FL | M | 57 | 4:08:01 |
| 27 | Robinson, Jonathan | Orem WY | M | 56 | 4:11:31 |
| 28 | King, Brian | New Bern NC | M | 45 | 4:11:50 |
| 29 | Janssen, James John | Edina MN | M | 38 | 4:12:51 |
| 30 | Stevenson, Joseph | Bel Air MD | M | 53 | 4:13:03 |
| 31 | Murray, Steve | Eagan MN | M | 45 | 4:13:32 |
| 32 | Simon, Dave | Columbus OH | M | 39 | 4:14:08 |
| 33 | Newcomer, Robert | Decatur GA | M | 42 | 4:14:59 |
| 34 | Shuff, Dan | San Antonio TX | M | 67 | 4:16:06 |
| 35 | Kellar, Michael | Harrisville WV | M | 46 | 4:17:11 |
| 36 | Hibshman, David | Naperville IL | M | 42 | 4:18:29 |
| 37 | Schulz, Mark | Quantico VA | M | 26 | 4:18:55 |
| 38 | Hay, Alec | St Simons Island GA | M | 56 | 4:23:04 |
| 39 | Horn, Reg | Pawleys Island SC | M | 60 | 4:23:22 |
| 40 | Moore, Gina | Dallas TX | F | 50 | 4:24:33 |
| 41 | Lehew, Bob | Tulsa OK | M | 59 | 4:24:35 |
| 42 | White, Dick | Cocoa Beach FL | M | 49 | 4:27:26 |
| 43 | Wilkes, David | Orwell OH | M | 52 | 4:28:02 |
| 44 | Halke II, Donald | Newport PA | M | 43 | 4:29:51 |
| 45 | Wilson, Daniel | Westminster CO | M | 44 | 4:30:34 |
| 46 | Regner, Rudy | Frederick MD | M | 46 | 4:31:48 |
| 47 | Reynolds, Michael | Dublin OH | M | 49 | 4:31:56 |
| 48 | Keleher, Michael | Phoenix AZ | M | 48 | 4:33:38 |
| 49 | Lechner, Robert | Jeffersonton VA | M | 46 | 4:33:50 |
| 50 | Strom, Sarah | Lake Ridge VA | F | 27 | 4:34:05 |
| 51 | Browder, Jim | York SC | M | 47 | 4:37:20 |
| 52 | Bellemare, Sarah | Dover-Foxcroft ME | F | 18 | 4:38:11 |
| 53 | Bellemare, Greg | Dover-Foxcroft ME | M | 46 | 4:38:12 |
| 54 | Fisher, Richard | Norfolk VA | M | 44 | 4:41:35 |
| 55 | Bradley, Marv | Canon City CO | M | 63 | 4:41:54 |
| 56 | Minnix, Tracey | Malden SC | F | 35 | 4:43:19 |
| 57 | Burlas, John | Clarksburg WV | M | 43 | 4:44:21 |
| 58 | Youchak, Michael T | Pittsburgh PA | M | 39 | 4:44:59 |
| 59 | Finney, Brian | Decatur IL | M | 34 | 4:47:31 |
| 60 | Carroll, Maxwell | Charlotte NC | M | 54 | 4:48:31 |
| 61 | McClure, Sam | Canon City CO | M | 48 | 4:50:44 |
| 62 | Horn, Delores | Pawleys Island SC | F | 63 | 4:51:16 |
| 63 | Faigen, Steve | Washington DC | M | 43 | 4:52:46 |
| 64 | Schuttler, Walter | Seymour CT | M | 50 | 4:55:32 |
| 65 | McCarty, Jennifer | Cross Junction VA | F | 33 | 4:57:41 |
| 66 | McCarty, Kevin | Cross Junction VA | M | 37 | 4:57:42 |
| 67 | Chung, Donald T | Rockville MD | M | 46 | 4:59:40 |
| 68 | MacLeod, Andrew | - | M | 53 | 4:59:57 |
| 69 | Moore, Arthur | Strongsville OH | M | 64 | 5:02:33 |
| 70 | Murphy, Don | Coraopolis PA | M | 43 | 5:03:22 |
| 71 | Whitmire, Tim | Charlotte NC | M | 31 | 5:04:58 |
| 72 | Tate, Duane | New Berlin WI | M | 46 | 5:07:34 |
| 73 | Hay, Geraldine | St Simons Island GA | F | 56 | 5:16:23 |
| 74 | Adams, Bill | Anaheim CA | M | 59 | 5:18:19 |
| 75 | Vaglio-Laurin, Marc | Raleigh NC | M | 40 | 5:18:33 |
| 76 | Cairns, John | Barberton OH | M | 51 | 5:18:34 |
| 77 | Patton, James | Seminole FL | M | 62 | 5:18:37 |
| 78 | Peck, Earl | Spokane WA | M | 62 | 5:20:09 |
| 79 | Hamrick Jr, Dennis | Charleston WV | M | 44 | 5:21:39 |
| 80 | Whitfield, Ted | Hopkinsville KY | M | 58 | 5:21:56 |
| 81 | Johnson, Cathie Ann | Clarksville TN | F | 48 | 5:23:11 |
| 82 | Johnson, Troy | Clarksville TN | M | 55 | 5:23:12 |
| 83 | Lim, Abraham | Avon Park FL | M | 52 | 5:26:02 |
| 84 | Allen, Terry | Angleton TX | F | 33 | 5:30:39 |
| 85 | Young, Larry | Tulsa OK | M | 59 | 5:30:40 |
| 86 | Farneman, Virginia | Powell OH | F | 64 | 5:31:15 |
| 87 | Troisi, Cathy | Seneca Falls NY | F | 56 | 5:41:23 |
| 88 | Fitch, Jim | Meadville PA | M | 43 | 5:41:24 |
| 89 | Babiak, Vicki | Rochester Hills MI | F | 49 | 5:42:23 |
| 90 | Phillips, Lydia | - | F | 51 | 5:43:43 |
| 91 | Bell, Dave | Englewood CO | M | 39 | 5:46:04 |
| 92 | Marten, John | Dayton OH | M | 40 | 5:47:10 |
| 93 | Morehead, Debra | Dayton OH | F | 50 | 5:47:11 |
| 94 | Collins, Beth Anne | Edgewood FL | F | 41 | 5:49:41 |
| 95 | Hoffman, David | Milwaukee WI | M | 67 | 5:51:59 |
| 96 | Mitchell, Carolyn | Lenexa KS | F | 65 | 5:52:27 |
| 97 | Gionfriddo, Paul | Muskego WI | M | 79 | 5:52:54 |
| 98 | Sicard, Michael | Nashville TN | M | 32 | 5:53:13 |
| 99 | Evans, Rosemary | Flemingsburg KY | F | 48 | 5:53:16 |
| 100 | Dames, Christine | Bethesda MD | F | 51 | 5:54:53 |
| 101 | Snyder, Cheri | Alexandria VA | F | 33 | 5:56:07 |
| 102 | Kunkle, Jennifer Jo | Alexandria VA | F | 31 | 5:56:07 |
| 103 | Moses, Alice | Huntsville AL | F | 61 | 5:56:28 |
| 104 | Solomon, Jerome | Redford MI | M | 45 | 5:59:12 |
| 105 | Murdock, Cheryl | Pensacola FL | F | 52 | 6:02:42 |
| 106 | Dembinski, Tom | Fredericktown OH | M | 52 | 6:08:29 |
| 107 | Moses, Ray | Huntsville AL | M | 66 | 6:10:34 |
| 108 | Bruckert, Gene | Arlington Heights IL | M | 67 | 6:13:59 |
| 109 | Herndon, Jerry | Cabin Creek WV | M | 63 | 6:14:00 |
| 110 | Rueden, Henry | DePere WI | M | 52 | 6:17:37 |
| 111 | Scharenbrock, Raymond | South Milwaukee WI | M | 68 | 6:17:38 |
| 112 | Pollock, Mike | Huntington WV | M | 55 | 6:18:36 |
| 113 | Murdock, Nelson | Pensacola FL | M | 52 | 6:20:51 |
| 114 | Friedman, Lynn | Houston TX | F | 47 | 6:23:04 |
| 115 | Friedman, Lawrence | Houston TX | M | 65 | 6:23:05 |
| 116 | Covey, Thomas | Morgantown WV | M | 66 | 6:27:49 |
| 117 | Hazlett, George | Matthews NC | M | 46 | 6:28:15 |
| 118 | White, Myra Jo | Fort Ashby WV | F | 58 | 6:35:37 |
| 119 | Pee, David | - | M | 58 | 6:43:22 |
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