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Saturday, May 15, 2010 -- Charleston, WV / Kanawha State Forest
Dirty Dog 15K Trail Run (iPO Event Id#: 12535)

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

Dirty Dog
Unleashed at the Dirty Dog
Story by George Gannon

This year's Dirty Dog 15K Trail Run lived up to its name.

Every runner, whether human or canine, was covered in mud by the end of the race. The trails around Kanawha State Forest are always wet this time of year, but a brief, powerful storm blew through on Friday creating veritable rivers out of slow moving creeks.

The course, which challenges runners with some serious uphills and single track trails, winds through a section of Kanawha State Forest. The trail run is a mix of single-track mountainous trail and unimproved dirt road. The course includes two long climbs and several sections of rolling ridge lines.

Even after a night of roughing it in those same woods, Nick End was able to overcome a slow start and take the top spot.

Dirty Dog
Dog Days in Kanawha State Forest
End, of Pittsburgh, Pa., didn't take the lead until about the six-mile mark. During the race he even fell once and took a wrong turn. He crossed the finish line with a time of 1:03:22.

"This was truly an experience," he said of the race. "It was a great time." End did admit that he was not running with a dog.

Coming in second for the men was Craig Swisher (1:04:49) of Barboursville. Rounding out the top three was Clay Warner (1:08:28) of Beckley.

For the women, Sue Baldwin of Charleston took the top spot with a time of 1:22:09.

"I love running with my dog Josie," she said.

Gina Thomas (1:24:09) of Charleston and Katie DeRusso (1:29:56) finished two and three respectively.

The race benefits the The Kanawha Trestle Trail and Kanawha/Charleston Humane Association.

For more photos see: