Saturday, May 8, 2010 -- Charleston, WV / Cross Lanes, WV
Poca River 15K Road Race (iPO Event Id#: 12530)

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

Miles Roll Out the Smiles

Story and photos by George Gannon

See more Poca Race photos.

Over 100 racers made the trek to Kanawha County on Saturday for the Poca River 15K on Saturday morning. One look at the race venue and it's easy to see why. The route, which follows Doc Bailey Road, crisscrosses some of the most picturesque views in the Kanawha Valley and offers participants a rolling, scenic course.

Although it was somewhat cool for a May morning, there was plenty of heat being generated by Barboursville's Craig Swisher. He got out fast and never turned back. Swisher, 28, tore through the course final major uphill at a solid clip and crossed the finish line in 52:04.

"It was a good race. I felt good," said Fisher, who lead from the start.

The road course weaves along rolling farmland and lines the Poca River. Coming in second was Marshall Spradling (54:46). Rounding out the top three was Gerod Green (58:22).

Swisher said the uphills were a challenge, but the views were worth the fight.

See more Poca Race photos.

For the ladies, Megan Schuerger took the top spot with a time of 1:02:13. Fifteen-year-old Sami Harris took the number two spot with at time of 1:08:29. Coming in third was Erin Price (1:10:27)

In the Master's category, Mike Bailey took first for the men with a time of 59:25. For the female Masters, Lynn Fish took the top spot with a time of 1:13:17.

The Poca River 15K is said to be the oldest race on the roads in West Virginia and is sanctioned by USA Track and Field.

For the Record . . .

This event has been a race that iPlayOutside has been covering since 1998. The course doesn't change much, and neither do the people who keep the race going. With help from the Kanawha Valley Road Runners Club (dating back to before 1975), it's down-home feel and rich history lives on.

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ENJOY MORE RACES IN THE CHARLESTON AREA

The Charleston Spring/Summer Speed Series 2010 still has three races left. These runs and walks have a $15 entry fee each, check it out!

Saturday, June 12 . 8:00 am

Run with a Cop 5K, a long-standing 5K Run and Walk that benefits the Special Olympics. Meet at 31st Street behind CAMC Memorial and WVU Medical Center.

Saturday, July 2 . 7:45 pm

Enjoy the Independence Run/Walk, complete with LIVE music, festival fun, and food. It's a flat, 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk along the river. Start and finish at beautiful Haddad Riverfront Park.

These fine races are held in Charleston, West Virgina, the capital city of the state. It's a family-friendly city full of great things to see and do for people of all ages. The best part is that in addition to great variety, everything is close by.