Saturday, August 21, 1999 -- Bramwell
WV-VA Coal Shuttle Run 3.5 & 7 Mile Races
Story and photos by Pam Anderson

[Coverage/Recap] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Results]

Bramwell celebrates a bygone era

Bramwell West Virginia, home of the early 20th century millionaire coal barons and a scenic, peaceful, and friendly town was the setting for the First Annual Coal River Shuttle Run, a 7 mile and 3.5 mile race.

After a relaxing evening and restful night at the Perry House Bed and Breakfast where I enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Jim and Joyce Bishop, owners and three other guests from Atlanta Georgia, Herb Sneeden, Rick Maher and Jerry Williford, race day dawned a cool 74 degrees and partly sunny morning. The perfect day for a run through main street Bramwell and down the Bluestone River.

Perfect weather for getting outside

The out and back 7-mile course used the 3.5-mile start line as the turn around point in Pocahontas Virginia, home of the Exhibition Mine and site of the first mine in the Pocahontas Coalfields. This made for a pleasing and scenic course with stretches of flat and two challenging hills for runners from West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia and as far away as Missouri.

Finishing first in the Male division for the 3.5-mile course from Pocahontas Virginia to Bramwell West Virginia was Richard Ferguson of Danville Virginia (19:40). Ferguson has been running in various races for the past twenty years. Taking first in the female division was Rebecca Steorts (25:18) of Bluefield West Virginia. Steorts attends Salem Academy Boarding School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A scenic setting made for great running

Conquering first place in the male division for the 7-mile course was Charlie Gray (37:54) of Lee's Summit Missouri. Gray was named National Masters Runner of the Year in 1995 and has competed in three Olympic trials. Gray and his wife Marge (55:48) who placed first in her age group 40-44 said, it was a fun and challenging vacation run. Winning first place in the female division was Staci Aulick (53:40) of Huntington West Virginia.

The Historic and friendly town of Bramwell made for the perfect setting for an early morning run. A special Thank you to Lillian Pierce for her hard work as race director and for her generous hospitality.