Saturday, June 17, 2006 -- Clarksburg, WV
Greater Clarksburg 10K (iPO Event Id#: 7381)

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6] [Set 7] [Set 8] [Set 9]
[Set 10] [Set 11] [Set 12] [Set 13] [Set 14] [Set 15] [Set 16] [Set 17] [Set 18] [Set 19] [Set 20] [Set 21] [Set 22] [Set 23] [Set 24] [Set 25] [Set 26] [Set 27]
[Kid's K and 2-Miler Photos]

Past Coverage: [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005]

Story and photos by JR Petsko

WVU track on the course

Maybe everyone already knows the history of the Greater Clarksburg 10K Race, and maybe you don't. But without its race director, Carl Hatfield, who has been the lead for a decade, it's fair to say that this event would not be even close to what it is today. Carl is said to be one of the nicest guys around and that goes without saying, but his race crew do a fabulous job from start to finish, and Carl helped start it all in 1996.

A traditional 10th anniversary gift for a wedding would be tin or aluminum, and no one's really sure what the appropriate 10th anniversary gift for a race would be, but I'll bet it's one that would surely shine.

To celebrate their 10-years, the event offered over $10,000 in prize money, a majic number. With a special United States category which included individuals who are currently U.S. Citizens, and the West Virginia State Championship which included individuals who reside within the State of WV.

Racing in the heat of WV

Professional runners from Kenya showed up, but so did some of the local best. Victor Kigeon of Kenya took first in 29:34, a blazing pace of 4:46. Top local runner Josh Simpson, of Morgantown, WV finished as the first American in 31:11. The first WV runner was Travis Simpson of Weirton, WV who was 5th overall with a time of 33:15.

Ilona Barvanova of the Ukraine finished 9th overall and 1st for the women in 34:04. Barvanova enjoys training with Lyubov Denisova of Russia, winner of the 2005 Los Angeles Marathon and 3rd for the women at Clarksburg. Megan Metcalf of Canada took 2nd in 34:16. Of Edmonton, Metcalf, holds a 2006 gold medal in NCAA's Cross Country, and was the 2005 NCAA Champion.

The first female Master and female American finisher was Tere Stouffer (35:53) of Tennesee, Knoxville. Jennifer Davis of Morgantown, WV was the first female West Virginia finisher in 37:02.

The classic Kid's K and 2-miler had many entrants. A flood of friends, grandparents, and proud parents lined Clarksburg streets to catch a glimpes of the young runners.

Next year, the Clarksburg 10K crew plans to take the event to the next level. It should be an exciting time, a year of growth, and the perfect way to thank the city that has been so supportive of this great event for 10-years.