Sunday, October 15, 2000 -- Parkersburg, WV
Tony D. Cottrell Memorial Run/Walk
Story and photos by Patrick Shreves

[Details] [Coverage]
Results: [Run O/A] [Run by Class] [Walk O/A] [Walk by Class] [Kids Races]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5]

Tony D. Cottrell runs in the 1999 Mountain State Classic

Sunday, October 15th was the kind of day one might expect to have during early September, rather than mid-October, with temps around the mid 70's. It was a great day for the Tony D. Cottrell Memorial Run/Walk. Tony Cottrell was a local runner and River City Runners' Club member who died from brain tumor in October, 1999. His wish was to be remembered though the existing RCRC scholarship program. His thoughtful offer enabled the RCRC to increase the scholarship that had been offered to college bound senior cross-country runners at each of the Wood County High Schools.

It was incredible to see how many local runners and walkers were there at the Erickson All-Sports Facility to race in Mr. Cottrell's honor. The facility is certainly shaping up nicely. With the track completely racer ready, it provided a great surface for the start and finish of the race. By race time the temperature was bordering on hot. All of the runners and walkers lined up for an exciting mass start. At the sound of the horn, they began their one and a quarter laps around the track.

Feeling the burn at the line

Half way into the first lap around the track, the 1st WV finisher of the 2000 Parkersburg Half Marathon Tony Basta, and tough runner Randy Gibbs started to break away from the rest of the field. As the runners left the track and headed out of the facility, they were lead by the Mayor of Parkersburg, Jimmy Colombo, on a motorcycle.

The participants trotted onto the surrounding streets for the majority of the race. Upon re-entery into the Erickson All-Sports Facility, Tony Basta was leading, with Randy Gibbs trailing. Basta completed the three quarters of a lap around the track and finished first with an excellent time of 16:34. Gibbs(16:59), swept second more than 1 minute ahead of 3rd place winner Billy Shedd(17:15).

A flat track makes for a very fast finish

In the female running division, Susanne Ebersbach dominated. Ebersbach took home the first place trophy with a time of 20:29. Rachel Fox(22:11), pulled in a strong second, and Linda Cannon cruised over the line with a time of 22:24.

To no one's surprise, champion walker John Mike Nichols came across the line first with an awesome time of 28:52. Always a tough competitior, John Elliot(31:48), took home second, and friendly Bernard Fries clenched third with a time of 32:16.

The ladies in the walk finished the course with Jan Stevens(34:29), smoking up the track with her first place win. Darlene Burke smiled over the line in the place second spot at 35:12, and Martha Marks(36:01), took no prisoners and went home with third.

Now it's OUR turn to race!

Children from ages 5 to 10 had their OWN races to compete in. For boys 5 years and under, Will Schindler took first, J. D. Barnette came in second and Travis Barton in third. Ben Schindler, Brock Wells and Alex Dower, finished 1, 2, 3, in the boys 6 to 8 years old.

The girls out numbered the boys having runners in the three age divisions. In the girls 5 years and under, Mikenze Poling finished first, Taylor Foy, second, and Sarah Stump, third. 6 to 8 year old girls finished with first going to Emily Foy, second was Stacy Stump and Sydney Nichols in third. Girls 9 and 10 years old division was a close race with Leslie Schindler sprinting for first and Tiffany Gorman just a step behind in second.

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Thanks goes to everyone... that worked to make the event safe and fun. A special thanks to the River City Runners' Club for helping put on such an event, and to Lou Ann Cottrell for her hard work and dedication in making this race a success. This was a great way to remember a very important friend of the community, and help college bound cross-country runners reach thier desired goals.