Sunday, March 18, 2007 -- Grafton, WV / Grafton High School
Grafton 4.7 Mile Run-MAGP Endurance #1 (iPO Event Id#: 7840)

2007: [Photos] [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Coverage: [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005] [2006]

Article and photos by JR Petsko

The hat and gloves still come out in Martch

This past weekend it was made official. Spring is on the way and it's time to playoutside. Sunday was the first event in the 2007 MAGP series. This year's MAGP series will be different from years past. For this year the series has been divided into two separate types of racing, sprint (5K) and endurance (greater than 5K) races. The Grafton 4.7 miler was stop number one for the MAGP's endurance series.

This year was the 32nd annual Grafton run, and there was no shortage or participants for the event. One hundred and fifty runners and walkers lined up at the starting line for a great racing loop that would take them though the streets of this historic town and along the banks of the beautiful Tygart river.

With the firing of the starter's pistol the runners took off from the starting line and the 2007 MAGP series was underway. One mile into the race a pack of six runners moved to the front of the field including Larry Taylor, Lance Hines, Josh Feather, James Adams, Ryan Lichtner, and Jobey Knapton. As the leaders disappeared down the road to take on the course ahead of them it was clear that these runners didn't spend the off season sitting on the couch watching reruns of "My Name is Earl".

The racing fun is just starting

As the last of the runners headed down the road and out of sight I could only wonder what was happening out there on the race course. It didn't take long for all my questions to be answered. Just twenty-five minutes later the first two runners came into view down the long straight away to the finish.

As the two came closer into view it was Josh Feather of Terra Alta, WV with a slight lead over defending race champion Lance Hines of Sutton, WV. Sutton had no plans of giving up his title anytime soon. With less then a quarter mile left to go to the finish Sutton dug down deep and found an extra gear. As he pulled into the lead Feather was determined not to let him get away. At the line it would once again be Sutton taking the victory in a time of 25:56.1 followed by Feathers just two seconds behind. In third was Larry Taylor of Fayetteville, WV crossing the line in 27:34.6.

Jim Banks starts his run at another MAGP title

On the woman's side the race was just as exciting at the line. Kaylyn Christopher of kingwood, WV took the overall woman's victory in a time of 28:47.9. Winning the event a full two minutes ahead of the next placed woman's finisher. The second and third places would not be decided so easily.

Just like the men's finish this was going to be a photo finish. It takes longer to say Grafton four miler then the time that separated these two runners. At the line it was Ari Kasprowicz of Kingwood taking second overall with Ashley Teets of Terra Alta less then one second behind. Wow what a finish! It is definitely racing season again.

In the walker division it was a shorter two mile loop for them to complete. Mike Burns of Fairmont, WV was first across the line for the men in 22:48.8. For the women it was Adele Siba of Masontown, WV coming home first in a time of 24:39.5.

It was a great first series race of the season. Special thanks goes out to all those who gave there time to help support this event. It was a great event and they can't wait to see you all again next year at the 33rd annual Grafton Four (point-seven) Miler.