Saturday, July 26, 2003 -- Clarksburg, WV
Greater Clarksburg 10K and 2 Miler (CARS #9) (iPO Event Id#: 5424) Story by Heather Bury with photos by Don Parks

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6] [Set 7] [Set 8] [Set 9]
[Set 10] [Set 11] [Set 12] [Set 13] [Set 14] [Set 15] [Set 16] [Set 17] [Set 18] [Set 19] [Set 20] [Set 21] [Set 22] [Set 23] [Kids Race & 2 Miler Coverage/Results]
Past event Coverage: [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002]

A beautiful start to the 2003 GC10K

Once again, downtown Clarksburg looked like an international track championship, with some of Kenya's finest runners turning out for the Greater Clarksburg 10k.

The weather was nice enough to cooperate this year. As the runner's lined up for the start of the 10k, there was no threat of rain, and only a hint of humidity in the air. Anyone who knows West Virginia knows that this is not the usual climate for this time of year.

Casey Batey takes first for West Virginia

In year's past, the elite field has been crammed with Kenyans, but was a little weak on the American side. This year proved to be different, as some of America's finest runners showed up to earn a little summer spending money.

In 2002, it was Kenya's John Korir that took the top prize of $3,000. This year it was countryman David Korir going home with the money. Korir ran 28:40 to win, out-kicking Daniel Cheruiyot, also of Kenya, in 28:54. Taking third was yet another Kenyan, Paul Mwangi.

Chris Graff of California was the first American across the line, taking ninth place overall with a time of 30:09. Second American was Todd Reiser of Rochester, NY in 30:36, and third American was also the first Masters runner, Eddy Hellebuyck in 31:21.

Larry Taylor grabs third overall masters money

Top West Virginia awards went to Casey Batey who trains in Morgantown. Batey ran an easy 31:41. Second West Virginian was Mikey Guinn of Nitro in 33:17, and rounding out the top three was Joshua Sheets of Greenwood in 34:28.

Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia took the second Masters spot in 32:09, with Fayettville's Larry Taylor third in 34:30.

The women's race belonged to 22 year old Rahab Ndungu of Kenya with a time of 32:58. Ndungu's time is a new course record.

Running in second place was Emily Samoei, also of Kenya, with a 33:23, which is also one of the fastest times ever on the course. In third was Hannah Njeri of Kenya, in 33:49.

Almost a dead heat for Saucony teammates Bury and Stallwood

Debbie Kilpatrick of Ohio showed that turning 40 can be fabulous. The soon to be masters runner out-distanced an awesome American field with a time of 35:14. Second American was Sonja Friend-Uhl of Florida in 35:30. Rounding out the top three was Dana Coons of Virginia in 36:11.

The top West Virginia prize was practically a tie between Morgantown's Heather Bury and Rebecca Stallwood. The former WVU teammates crossed the line in 36:34 and 36:35, respectively. Third West Virginian was 16 year old Clara Grandt of West Union in 42:17

Terri Mahr of Ohio took the top Masters money with a 40:20. Second was Barbara Kulemeier of Scott Depot in 41:10. Third was Sharon Marks of Parkersburg in 42:30.

Everyone was sprinting for the finish

The day was not over with the 10k. Shortly after all the 10k racers were across the line, the Kids K went off. After the Kids K was the 2 mile event, won outright by Zach Sabatino and Jennifer Davis of Morgantown.

While waiting for the results, the racers enjoyed some of the best wings in North Central West Virginia, as vendors from all over came out to let the runners taste test their product as they swapped stories of another Clarksburg 10K.