West Virginia Archives

Ragnar Trail Appalachians – Marka OConnell

August 17, 2023

Race: Ragnar Trail Appalachians

Runner: Marka OConnell

Race Date: 08/11/2023

Location: Big Bear Lake Campground, West Virginia

Results: Finisher

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Glamping
Camaraderie
Unlimited memories
Finisher medal
Sense of accomplishment

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The red loop tried to kill us
The check in was a little overwhelming but you just had to be patient

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

All the funny team names and costumes
Running through the campground at night

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Beating the red loop!!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Don’t let the loops scare you, especially the night run! Ragnar makes everything every safe! Just have fun!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Bring a battery charger to charge your phone. Make sure you have a good headlamp!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Trust yourself and trust you’re on the right trail!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Depends on if your running it at night! The Pines are pretty cool!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes unless you’re part of the elite or ultra team (which we were NOT!) But we had fun with the challenge!

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized! (Expect the check in part)

Competition – Is there a strong field?

About 800-1000!!

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Depending on where you’re coming in from! Definitely get the glamping package so you don’t have to carry everything in! Register as soon as possible!

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard. If you’re running in the dark, be careful of the two skeletons guarding the water stop!!

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s in the mountains so prepare for any weather!

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Gators are helpful in the mud!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Only if your family or friends are also camping

How’s the Swag?

Ragnar has great finisher medals! Nice tee shirts!!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

10!! And can’t wait to do it again!!

Canaan Valley Half Marathon Race Report – Art Steiber

June 8, 2021April 26, 2021

Race: Canaan Valley Half Marathon

Runner: Art Steiber

Race Date: 04/24/2021

Location: Davis, WV

Results: 2:08:41 (1st place of 60+ age group although there were no age group awards)

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5184039119

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

1. The setting. I’m from Detroit, MI and I’ve never run in the hills of WV. It was great seeing the mountains as I ran.
2. The attitude, flexibility and communication of the organizers. Friendly, accommodating, organized.
3. Swag. I haven’t gotten a hoodie at a race before.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I prefer courses that don’t cover the same territory so I can see all new scenery during the race. This course did have us loop back and repeat part of the course. But, on the second loop we went the opposite direction for some, so it wasn’t identical. I heard they had to change the course due to Covid, so it may not always repeat.
No age group awards and since I was the fastest old guy (60+M), I wish they would have done age group awards.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Weird in a cool way – the MC/starter/hype man at the start/finish area was a high-energy guy with dreadlocks and bare feet that sounded like Adam Sandler. We started in several waves 5 minutes apart and he kept the crowd entertained.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I finished faster than I expected. I hadn’t trained on hills yet this year and I also missed a couple weeks of training recently due to injuries so I was not race ready. Plus my wife and I have been here hiking for several days so I was planning to take it easy and just run it as an easy long run. But, I got caught up in the race excitement and went out slightly faster than I planned and was able to maintain for most of the race other than up the steeper hills.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

If you want to record a good finishing time, be sure you do hill training for this race. Also, this was a fairly low-key event. Fun, friendly and well-organized but not thousands of runners or spectators.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

It helped to get to packet pickup early because it got crowded fast. Also, get to the race site early for better parking as some people had a bit of a walk to the start (not a big deal, just convenience.)

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

I think the course was different this year but based on the location, it will have hills no matter where they run.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, very pretty course. Canaan Valley, WV is surrounded by mountains and great views.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

If you are in half-marathon race shape it’s not too difficult and if you do hill training it’s a reasonable course.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It was well organized but still casual and friendly. Good proactive communication by email pre-race with updates as Covid changes were made. A Facebook group page allowed runners to connect and share leading up to and after the event.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

165 half-marathon finishers on Saturday. They had another group of similar size on Sunday. Normally it’s a one-day race but they divided the field to help social distancing. The 10k runners started with us so it felt like a bigger field but then we split off at points on the course.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I don’t know if they limit the field every year but they did this year due to Covid. Registration, packet pick-up and the entire event worked smoothly.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard placement on the course. They were not pouring or handing out drinks, we just grabbed a full bottle ourselves. Water and Gatorade.

Weather and typical race conditions

Temp was about 40 degrees at the start. Expect anything in April. There was still snow on the ground at higher elevations in the area. Wind picked up during the race as clouds came brought rain in later that afternoon.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

The only spectators were at the start/finish area which was at a very nice resort on the mountainside. No one was out on course.

How’s the Swag?

Runners got a nice quality grey hoodie. Subtle logo design so it looks very nice. Plus a good size, attractive finisher medal.

Apparently they usually have a post-race party, but again Covid cancelled that. There was beer available and it was my favorite kind – free and cold!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars! I really enjoyed it!

Art Steiber is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Art, check out his coaching page.

West Virginia Trilogy 50k Race Report – Jeremy L

August 15, 2020October 19, 2018

Race: WV Trilogy (50K race)

Runner: Jeremy L

Race Date: 10/12/2018

Location: Spruce Knob (Circleville, WV)

Results: 5:44:50 (7th place)

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Imagine getting a group of about 80 friend together and saying “Hey lets all go run 30+ miles through some really rough terrain. We put some tape up to mark a course and we’ll start around 7:00. See you at the finish”
It was a no frills, no BS kind of race. No timing chips, no finish line clock, just run and we’ll tell you what time it is at the end.
The mountains, the streams, and the vast emptiness of West Virginia at its finest.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Only one kind of beer at the finish line.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

It takes place at the Experience Learning center near Spruce Knob. It is an interesting place…awesome but interesting (https://experience-learning.org/).

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I finished 7th and had absolutely no idea where I was in the field during the race. And I survived the mountains even though I don’t live (or train) in them.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Get used to hiking…and water.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Stabilizer muscles are key on the long and steep downhills.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Don’t expect bells and whistles. During the pre-race meeting the race director said “we’ll have water and tailwind at the first aid station and some typical running fare some of the others, but if you really want something you should bring it with you…you knew what you signed up for.”

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Mountains and streams of WV… so yes.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It was my first 50k so I would go with yes.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Despite the no frills approach it was definitely a well-oiled machine.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Probably not since I finished 7th.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

You either stay in a dorm at the experience learning center, a tent in a field, or at a hotel 40 minutes down the road.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Since a group of guys had to backpack into the wilderness and camp the night before the race, I was would have been happy if they just said hi and offered some water at that point.

Weather and typical race conditions

Cold and wet.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Shoes that drain.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

If they can hike long distances in the backcountry…yes.

How’s the Swag?

Patagonia t-shirt for signing up… Free beer at the finish line.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?