Saturday, July 31, 2004 -- Clarksburg, WV
Greater Clarksburg 10K (iPO Event Id#: 6425)
Story and photos by Julie 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] [Set 9]
[Set 10] [Set 11] [Set 12] [Set 13] [Set 14] [Set 15] [Set 16]
[2-Miler Pics]
Past Coverage: [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003]

8th Annual Greater Clarksburg 10K Run
Big City Style ~ Small Town Hospitality ~ Challenging Course

Close finish under the banner

This year, the Greater Clarksburg 10K has teamed up with the City of Pittsburgh's Great Race and the Cleveland 10K to create a unique opportunity for locals to showcase their talents in the Tri-State area. Beginning with the Clarksburg 10K in July of 2004, runners can participate in the first leg of the Power Three 10K Series. In September, it's off to one of the tri-states largest races, Pittsburgh's Great Race and finally in April of 2005 it's off to Cleveland. Founded in 1996, this race continues to be the official WV 10K State Championship.

Mike Mosser, four time all-American distance runner at West Virginia University officially started the race with a pistol. Mosser gathered much support for the "Rifle is back, Next is Track" movement. His banners were proudly displayed at the start and finish.

Encouragement goes a long way

Our Outstanding Locals
Despite having only a hand full of international runners and one of the most challenging 10K road courses anywhere, 30 runners finished under a 6 minute per mile pace. Outstanding performances were delivered by David McCollam (32:33) of Charleston, West Virginia. McCollam took home the First American and First West Virginia male finisher honors and 5th place overall. Heather Bury (36:45), of Morgantown, WV, finished as the First American Woman, First West Virginia Woman, 3rd place Female, and 27th overall.

Andrew Skidmore (38:25), was the first place Harrison County and City of Clarksburg, WV male finisher. Jessica Huff (42:17), was the first place Harrison County and Clarksburg, WV female finisher.

Josh Sheets of Greenwood, WV won the 2-Mile Race with a time of 10:02 after a 10th place overall finish in the 10K Run, (33:34) . Megan Schuerger of Charleston, WV was the first place female in the 2-Mile Race with a time of 14:37.

Happy day for Chulakh

Top 3 Men and Women 10K Winners
John Itati (29:54), and Samuel Ndereba (29:56), kept it tight to the very end. It was Itati who prevailed, winning 1st overall. Nephat Kinyanjui (30:01), claimed thrid. All of the top three males live in Kenya when they're not racing in the US. Top female was Tatyana Chulakh of Russia (currently hanging in Washington, D.C.), with a time of 34:19. It was a good day for Chulakh who held off Teresa Wanjiku of Kenya. Wanjiku (34:25), claimed second. Local personal trainer Heather Bury, a WV resident, claimed third witha time of 36:45.

Power 3 Series Tie in from Pennsylvania and Ohio
Randy Gibbs (35:48) and Terry Mahr (41:54) were the first place OH male and female. Jed Christiansen (33:03) and his 11 year old sister Jacy Christiansen (40:08), (4th place over all female) were the first place PA Finishers. Of the four Christiansen children racing, three placed first in their age groups the other placed 3rd with two in the same age group. Can you say good genes?

Special Thanks...
Thanks to Ike Skidmore for all of his hard work and dedication to the cause. To race director, Carl Hatfield, former National Marathon Champion and winner of the first Pittsburgh Great Race. To Larry Mazza, Mike Mosser, the entire Clarksburg 10K Crew, volunteers, the many sponsors, and the Runner's High for professional race timing.