Saturday, March 11, 2000 -- Williamson, WV
Tug Valley Road Runners Club 10K Run
Story and photos by Pam Anderson

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1]

Getting things started in Williamson

Saturday March 11th dawned a cold, wet and cloudy day for the First Annual Tug Valley Road Runners Club 10K in West Williamson, Mingo County, the heart of the Hatfield and McCoy Feud country. The newly formed Tug Valley Road Runners Club sponsored this race to raise awareness of their club in the southern part of West Virginia and to promote the fun and healthy benefits of running.

The carefully marked course wound its way through West Williamson down by the railroad tracks to a finish in front of the West Williamson Fieldhouse. Many of the runners stated that the course was a pleasant level course with just a few inclines to put a little challenge in their run.

Mike Maynard strides to the finish

Taking the first place overall win was Mike Maynard of Hardy, WV. Mike finished the course with a time of 45:12. Not far behind him were brothers Phillip (46:05) and Andrew (46:15) Hoffman capturing the second and third place overall titles. Phillip and Andrew, from Williamson, train with their father Tom Hoffman (58:06) and in the off season they enjoy keeping in shape by playing basketball.

Katrina Blankenship (54:02) of Gilbert, WV, took first place overall among the females with a comfortable lead on the second place overall finisher Jeannie Rivard (58:17). Katrina, running today with her brother Terry Hamrick (47:49), said this was the first time they had run in this area and that it was a nice change in scenery for her. Aileen Perry (59:14) took the third place overall women's finish.

Everyone wins in the TVRRC

Race director and club president David Hatfield said that the day's runners were all winners because they came out to enjoy a morning of fun running. Along with the new Tug Valley Road Runners Club, the City of Williamson and a group of students from Williamson High School helped to make the race a great event. Meghan and Latasha (Williamson High School) took that extra step by coming out at 7:30 in the morning to help with the registration. These young ladies and their friends volunteered today to help gather community service hours they are required to have for graduation. So great job girls and yes, as these teenage helpers learned, there is a 7:30 in the morning on a Saturday.