Saturday, August 19, 2000 -- Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg Half Marathon
Story and photos by Julie Black
[Details]
[Coverage]
Results:
[O/A 1-320]
[321-640]
[641-965]
[Class 00-34]
[35-44]
[45-99]
2M 
[O/A]
2M 
[Class]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[Set 6]
[Set 7]
[Set 8]
[Set 9]
[1998
Half Marathon]
[1999 Half Marathon]
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The big start of the 2000 Parkersburg 1/2 Marathon
Well over 1,000 people, including runners, walkers, wheelchair
participants, and spectators gathered on the river city's main drag to
catch a glimpse of
Governor Cecil Underwood, and the proud Mayor of Parkersburg, Jimmy
Columbo. What were they doing up at 8:00 a.m. on a foggy Saturday
morning you ask? The two popular WV politicians were there to greet
elite runners from all over the country, and a number of folks from
the mountain state who were ready to race in the
14th Annual
Parkersburg 1/2 Marathon.
The cool morning was a welcome scene for the USAT&F Men's and Women's
National Half Marathon Championship. The booming sound of the
traditional musket started the event with a bang!
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Butch Martin triumphs again
The wheelchair racers took off first, and many of the same faces from
previous years were in the pack. Last year's Wheelchair Champion
Butch Martin, proved to be the fastest once again by crossing the line
with a time of 54:22.
Returning to compete this year was Diana
McClure (1:28.08), of Charleston, WV, who also finished 1st in the
Women's Wheelchair class in 1999. McClure took 5th overall and 1st
for the ladies this year.
Among the elite runners, there were many familiar faces in the crowd.
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You're never too young to high step it to the line
Rod DeHaven of Madison, Wis. has made an appearance at the 1/2
Marathon before, taking the overall top spot in 1998. This year,
DeHaven returned to Parkersburg with the 2000 U.S. Men's Olympic
Marathon Trials Champion (2:15:30), under his belt. With the cool
weather on his side, DeHaven
finished
1st in
1:03.06. "I was running with older, more mature
training partners." Rod said in an interview with USAT&F of his
training at South Dakota State, "They had seen other phenoms not get
through the gates. I learned I had to work hard to get to the next
level."
Todd Reeser of Rochester, NY was in the 1/2 Marathon in '98 and '99.
Although he finished 4th in 1998, and 14th last year, he vastly improved
his times in 2000 to take 2nd overall with a time of 1:04.13.
Rounding out the top spots was elite runner Phillimon Hanneck(1:04.23),
of Clackamus, OR. who took home the 3rd place prize.
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Celebrating with a friend
The top finisher for the women was also an Olympian for 2000.
Libbie Hickman beat her 1st place time from '98 by over 2 minutes to
finish 34th overall and 1st for the women with a time of
1:11.01. A girl from out west, Hickman fulfilled her Olympic
dream this year by finishing third at the Olympic Trials in the 10k.
Sylvia
Mosqueda(1:11.20), of South Pasedena, CA, came in 19 seconds behind
Hickman to take 2nd. Finishing 3rd for the ladies was Kelly
Cordell(1:14.12), of Lafayette, IN.
The first person to cross the line from West Virginia was
Tony Basta of Parkersburg, who took 42nd overall in 1:13.29.
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Happy to be at the finish
After the race, the activities were not over. The Parkersburg
Homecoming celebrations continued with a parade and fireworks. The
street was filled with colorful floats and performers who gave out
candy to the crowds of children. Even the newly-crowned Miss
Parkersburg Homecoming Queen made her way down the strip.
Next year will be the 15th year for the 1/2 Marathon, and it will
surely be an event that you won't want to miss!
Special Thanks --- to Norma Phillips, and Denise for their help
with the results.