Sunday, September 14, 2003 -- Helvetia, WV
Helvetia 10K Mountain Run & 2 Mile Walk (iPO Event Id#: 5604) Story by Dan Lehmann with photos by Don Parks

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6]
[1998 Coverage] [1999 Coverage] [2000 Coverage] [2001 Results] [2002 Coverage]

Running the hills of Helvetia

Light rain fell Saturday evening dampening the spirits a bit for the runners and friends that arrived early to partake in the festivities of the 89th Helvetia Fair. But race organizers at 5am the next morning found the waning Harvest Moon and starry skies accurately predicting a beautiful race day.

On Saturday afternoon several runners ran the Wild Woods Hash from the Lehmann farm where many were camping. It was an interesting hash, sure to be debated for years to come. Also, Team iPlayOutside Don Parks and Chas Mick repeated their 1999 cycling adventure, the One Day Tour to Helvetia.

The 6th Helvetia 10k Mountain Run brought 66 starters to the line and 12 walkers for the 2 mile loop. The first 2 warm-up miles of the 10k are relatively flat. The course follows the Buckhannon River first on a paved road, then crossing the river to a woods trail and then dirt road to the 2-mile aid station. Mile 2 to 3.5 is a gradual ascent along Upper Trout Run. The course then takes a distinctly steeper tone for a mile up through the woods to the 4.5-mile aid station. From here it is a gradual and then steep, fast descent to the finish.

Getting started on the road

Larry Taylor was first to cross the finish line with a time of 36:17. This was only a few seconds off the course record he set in 2001 of 36:03. In his attempt at breaking his record, Taylor said "I knew at the 5 mile mark it was going to be close."

Second place overall went to 16 year old Mark Wilfong of Buckhannon with a time of 41:42.

Heather Bury raced to finish 3rd overall and first female setting a new women's course record of 42:54. Rebecca Schoonover, the female champion the past three years, placed second with a 49:30.

Now who didn't have fun?

An exciting race went on for the 20-29 female front-runners. Jennifer Cochran and Carla Addison played cat and mouse for the last 1.5 miles. They rounded the final corner even for a 100yd sprint to the finish. Cochran pulled ahead to finish 51:32 ahead of Addison at 51:35. Congratulations to both women and thanks for the exciting finish!

Gift certificates from the Hutte Restaurant were awarded to the first place winners. Prizes were also given by Grandpa John's Hilltop Inn, Cobbs Candles, Hilltop Honey, Road ID, Hammergel and the West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners.

The Helvetia Fair Association and Jody and Dan Lehmann wish to thank all for coming out. Everyone appeared to have a wonderful time, and we did too. Hope to see you all next year.