Saturday, September 16, 2000 -- Dunbar, WV
Wine Cellar Classic Road Race
Story and photos by George Gannon

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class] [Walk] [Pic Set 1]

Harry Bruner heads for Dunbar City Hall

[1998 Event Coverage] [1999 Event Coverage]

There are a good many folks who might run 10 Kilometers for a jug of wine (me included), but the racers in Dunbar on Saturday had a much more competitive goal in mind: to be the winner of the 26th annual Wine Cellar 10K.

A perfect morning for a race, the runners traveled a course that rolled, snaked, turned, and twisted through downtown Dunbar. The race started at a local vineyard and sent the racers to the finish line at Dunbar City Hall.

Finding the finish line first (almost three minutes before anyone else) was Boone County Superstar, and repeat champ, Jared Smith. Alone from the outset, Smith handled the first, and most mountainous, section of the course with ease, and then never looked back. "I would have run faster had somebody been in front of me," claimed Smith. Bruce Johnson (38:04) also posting strong numbers, took the number two spot. James Sturgeon (38:51) rounded out the top three.

A perfect day for a run

For the ladies, another repeat champ, crossed the finish line first. Marlene Moore (45:41) said that somebody "could run one of their best races on this course," and she has done it two years in a row. Moore claims to have felt strong on the course that "takes you all over." Christy Aubrey (49:12), another course veteran, finished in the number two spot. Christi Woods (50:07) rounded out the top three.

Kudos go to Mr. Bill Keen, who has competed in all 26 Wine Cellar 10 K races. Keen is considered one of the founders of the race and gave the event its name. Keen claims it has gone from being a huge competition, to a "friendly, little ole race."

Even if a bottle of wine was not awaiting the victorious runner, plenty of fans and onlookers were. The racers received the unique, but very appropriate award of wine glasses. An iPlayOutside shout goes to all the race personnel, who were very helpful in getting results.