Sunday, March 28, 2004 -- Morgantown, WV
Cooper's Rock 2004 (MAGP #1) (iPO Event Id#: 6011)
Photos and story by Jason Black

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6] [Set 7] [Set 8]
Past Coverage: [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003]

A great day to be on the rock

As many local folks know, Coopers Rock State Forest, with it's rolling hills and enormous roadside boulders, has been the setting for the first race in the Morgantown Area Grand Prix (MAGP) Race Series long over 7 years now.

One of the area's oldest races, the Cooper's Rock Challenge ("RUN THE ROCK") began in the 1970's as a 5-mile event and was extended to a 10K distance run in 1991. Weather has often been a factor varying from mild and sunny to blustery with snow, but this year we were blessed with sunny skies and warmth throughout the day.

This race gets two thumbs up

The scenic course starts at the entrance of the state forest and follows the very hilly, paved road to the overlook area where it winds a path down through the picnic area before picking up the road again and returning to the finish line. The course for the 5K Walk is the same, only shorter of course. The hand-made awards were gold colored trophies and hand-painted rocks mounted on a wooden square.

A little over 200 racers flooded the start, took off uphill, and headed towards the overlook. The first runner to see the downhill finish line was a 15, year old Grafton High School track star. Brandon Miles of Grafton West Virginia finished first with a time of 36:13, ahead of his competitors by nearly 14 seconds. -This course is challenging, but lots of fun!" said Miles, -I like the last half mile because of the downward slope to the finish."

Racing for 2nd was 23 year old, Adam Casseday, (36:26), of Elkins, West Virginia, and coming in 3rd overall was local Morgantown man, Darin Jacoby, with a fine time of 38:26.

Fun with friends at Coopers

The 15-19 year old age group dominated the women's top three spots in the run. Taking 8th overall and first for the ladies was 18 year old Uniontown, PA favorite, Mikie Monaghan, with a time of 39:02.

Finishing 15th overall, 18 year old Melinda Berryann (41:36), of Morgantown, WV took home 2nd. -This course is a lot of fun!" said Berryman, a red shirt freshman from the West Virginia University (WVU) Track Team, -I wanted to start with a 6.5 pace, and I was able to stay on it, so I'm happy!" Nineteen year old, Nicloe Dorinzi (43:33), also from Morgantown finished a strong 3rd.

Nice day for a walk

There were over 50 walkers in the 5K Walk. From Allepo, PA, well known race walker Terry Horn swept 1st with a smoking time of 27:26. Another PA racer, Craig Baer (31:03) of Fort Hill finished 2nd.

Kimberly Zaph of Morgantown, WV finished 3rd overall and first for the women with a time of 33:11. Jill Ross (35:16), also from Morgantown took home 2nd. Third place women's walker Jan Stevens (36:23), came all the way from Marietta, Ohio.

After the race there were plenty of cookies, snacks, drinks, and great conversation about the beautiful day and amazing weather.