Saturday, September 4, 2010 -- Charleston, WV / State Capitol
Charleston Distance Run (iPO Event Id#: 12416)

2010: [Details] [Coverage] [Photos]
Results: [Overall Results] [Results by Class] [More Results] [More Results] [More Results]

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A Race of Neighborhoods

Story and photos by Daniel Todd

See more race photos by Daniel Todd

Labor Day weekend brought great weather and great runners to Charleston for the 38th edition of the Distance Run. Cool breezes blew off the Kanawha river as runners gathered in the shadow of the WV State Capitol's gold dome.

The load boom of a canon painted in West Virginia University and Marshall colors signaled a dual start for the 5K and 15-mile races. Major Danny Jones had the honor of lighting the wick. Runners bolted down the Kanawha Boulevard.

This would is the first of two legs down this long and flat stretch of asphalt for the 15 mile participants. The "5kers" made a u-turn on Dunbar and ran past some of Charleston's historic homes on Virginia Street. Then they made their way to the track to finish at Laidley field, the home of the state track and field championships.

Top 5K Finishers

See more race photos by Daniel Todd

Buckeye, Stephen Ragg of Athens, Ohio, clocked a 15.05 (4.52 pace), to be the top 5K finisher. Another out-of-towner, David McCullam, finished exactly one second behind Ragg in 2nd place.

Sami Harris has been "smoking" the 5K distance this summer and posted a 18.21 to take the top female award and 5th place overall in a field of 455. The sub 19-minute time appears to be a Personal Record (PR) for the Charleston Catholic student. She just keeps getting faster.

The next closest female runner 25 places and two minutes back was Diana Johnson who finished with a time of 20:55.

Still young at heart, 68 year-old Ginger Yoak of Lake St. Louis, MO finished the course in 31.50. Jack Goldfarb (84 years old), posted a 1.04.52 to be the oldest competitor on Saturday.

The 15 miler runners ranged in age from 14 year-old Phillip Whiteis from Durbin, WV to 75 year-old Vic Ware of Charleston.

William Riddles rolled his way to a final time of 22.01 to win the 5k wheelchair division.

Top 15 Mile Finishers

See more race photos by Daniel Todd

The 15 mile runners raced by the Kanawha river, through downtown Charleston, up to South Hills, through the East End, and behind the Governor's Mansion before looping back through the heart of the city to be greeted by cheering fans at Laidley Field.

Local runner Jason Pyles, has been consistent all year at several distances and Saturday he completed the unique course in 1.25.44 to be the overall winner. As Pyles broke the ribbon, the second place finisher made his way on Laidley Field and finished with a 1:25:44.6.

The women came trained and ready. Maria Busienei of South Charleston was the top female finisher, placing 4th overall with a 1:36:03.

Tammy Slusser made the trip from Monroeville, PA to cross the line as the 2nd female with a time of 1:42:18.

The top master finishers were Sarah Strunk (1:54:39), and John Snodgrass (1:43:54) respectively.

The Distance Run is Charleston's classic long distance foot race. It's a challenging and wellorganized race. It is never too early to start training for next year and iPlayOutside.com is the place to find a tough training run near you!