Sunday, September 15, 2002 -- Helvetia, WV
Helvetia 10K Mountain Run (iPO Event Id#: 5003)
Story and photos by Don Parks
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Overall Results]
[Results by Class]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[1998 Coverage]
[1999 Coverage]
[2000 Coverage]
[2001 Results]
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Part of every year's attraction surrounding the run is the Annual
Helvetia Fair, now in its 88th year. The two day fair offers something
for everyone, including a parade, Swiss Folk Dance programs, arts and
crafts, square dance and more. We're sorry to say that we missed the
square dance this year (but we didn't in 1999).
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The third and fourth mile are a slow, unassuming, climb on pavement and then more dirt roads. But then you hit the wall! A 3/4-mile climb sends the runners up a grueling off-road mountain ascent. The only reward at the top is a water stop, but it is a fast dirt road descent of over one mile to the finish.
Larry Taylor did not have a lot of competition, without the
possible exception of his PR at Helvetia, which he set with a win
last year at 36:03. The conditions only gave up a 36:45 for him, but
still a four-plus minute win.
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It seems that big move might come on the final long downhill, but White could only keep Dean in sight. "I was trying to close the gap coming down, but that just wasn't working," commented White. But his final kick on the flat finishing stretch proved to be the difference.
For the women it was Rebecca Schoonover (47:44) getting the win
once again, followed by Carol Davis (50:47) and Debbie
Goss (56:01).
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A final shout-out goes to Penny Brown who ran the first run in 1998 and had a tough. She returned after 5 years to attack the hill again and bettered her time by 6 minutes and 49 seconds.