Saturday, May 8, 2010 -- Charleston, WV / Cross Lanes, WV
Poca River 15K Road Race
[Details] [Coverage] [Photos] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Miles Roll Out the Smiles
Story and photos by George Gannon
Although it was somewhat cool for a May morning, there was plenty of heat being generated by Barboursville's Craig Swisher. He got out fast and never turned back. Swisher, 28, tore through the course final major uphill at a solid clip and crossed the finish line in 52:04.
"It was a good race. I felt good," said Fisher, who lead from the start.
The road course weaves along rolling farmland and lines the Poca River. Coming in second was Marshall Spradling (54:46). Rounding out the top three was Gerod Green (58:22).
Swisher said the uphills were a challenge, but the views were worth the fight.
In the Master's category, Mike Bailey took first for the men with a time of 59:25. For the female Masters, Lynn Fish took the top spot with a time of 1:13:17.
The Poca River 15K is said to be the oldest race on the roads in West Virginia and is sanctioned by USA Track and Field.
For the Record . . .
This event has been a race that iPlayOutside has been covering since 1998. The course doesn't change much, and neither do the people who keep the race going. With help from the Kanawha Valley Road Runners Club (dating back to before 1975), it's down-home feel and rich history lives on.
ENJOY MORE RACES IN THE CHARLESTON AREA
The Charleston Spring/Summer Speed Series 2010 still has three races left. These runs and walks have a $15 entry fee each, check it out!
Saturday, June 12 . 8:00 am
Run with a Cop 5K, a long-standing 5K Run and Walk that benefits the Special Olympics. Meet at 31st Street behind CAMC Memorial and WVU Medical Center.
Saturday, July 2 . 7:45 pm
Enjoy the Independence Run/Walk, complete with LIVE music, festival fun, and food. It's a flat, 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk along the river. Start and finish at beautiful Haddad Riverfront Park.
These fine races are held in Charleston, West Virgina, the capital city of the state. It's a family-friendly city full of great things to see and do for people of all ages. The best part is that in addition to great variety, everything is close by.