Tinder Box

The 1900's Last Distance Run

For the past twenty-one years, tens of thousands of people and I have spent hours once a year running around the streets of Charleston during the fifteen mile distance run. This annual event is part of the Sternwheel Regatta festivities. Some years the weather is hot and humid. Some years it rains. The only certainty is that it is fifteen long miles and it gets more difficult each year.

On September 4, the last distance run of the 1900's was held. Here in all its gory detail is one person's perspective of this race.

The application forms for the race come at the beginning of summer. I always complete mine and send it back immediately. I usually get a low race number. This year it was 18 - the lowest number I have ever received.

As it gets closer to the race, you see more and more people out running around in Charleston. They particularly try their luck in running the hilly part of the race course in the South Hills area of Charleston. There is a big hill - properly named Capital Punishment - that goes straight up for almost a mile and a half. Then there are some more smaller hills before you start down Louden Heights Road which is about a mile and a half down.

This will be the 21^st straight year that I have run in the race. A few days before the race, I see Steve White, Esq. of Charleston at Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman's retirement ceremony. Steve says that this will be his 18^th consecutive year and we talk about how much tougher it gets each year.

On the night before the race, there is a pasta party at the Charleston Civic Center. As I finish my pasta dinner, I see Danny Wells, a senior sports writer for the Charleston Gazette newspaper, who is the director of the race. Danny is one of only two individuals who has run in each of the 27 Charleston Distance Runs. Danny says that the number of people for the 15 mile run is reduced this year - down to approximately 800 runners. About 5 years ago, a second shorter run - 3 miles - was added and it appears that many people are choosing the 3 miler over the 15 miler. Danny says that there will be about 500 people in the 3 mile race.

The day of the race dawns clear and relatively cool. However, as the sun gets up in the sky, it will definitely get warmer.

7:20 a.m. - Leave beautiful downtown Pinch to drive to Charleston for the race. Enjoy a wonderful pre-race meal of Ritz crackers and a sports drink.

7:58 a.m. - Christy Morris, Esq. of Charleston, the announcer for the race, tells all 800 of us that there will be a couple minute delay. Christy counts down the last five seconds. Charleston Mayor Jay Goldman, Esq. pulls the trigger, the gun goes off and the race is on.

First mile in 8:20, Ned Rose, Esq. of Charleston was taking pictures in the first mile. I'm so fast that I am by him before he can take a picture of my back.

Second mile at 16:35. Take some water at the second water stop.

Four miles at 33:56. I must have missed the 3 mile marker. Just went over the Patrick Street bridge. This is a different route than in the past because of construction on the C&O Railroad Ramp. Took water at the next water stop. Sun is already strong and hot. This is going to be long run.

Fifth mile at 43:07. Start up capital punishment hill at 47:12.

Top of the hill at one hour.

8 mile marker at 1:13. John Palmer, Esq. of Charleston blew past me at the 82 mile marker. Just a flash.

Nine mile marker at 1:22 coming down Louden Heights Road, it always feels good to pick up some speed. All down hill. Lots of people out along the road cheering you on, calling out your number or your name if they know you. Ben Bailey, Esq. of Charleston about half way down with his kids.

Ten mile marker at 1:31:01. Greg Bailey, Esq. of Charleston, and his wife, Alisa, a former State Bar staff member and now the Director of the West Virginia Tourism Office, and their two children, Greer and Cassidy, are at about the 11 mile marker cheering everybody on, holding back the traffic as they have done for many years.

Eleven miles at 1:40:25.

Twelve miles at 1:50. Don Cohen who started the Distance Run cheers everyone on at about 122 miles.

Thirteen mile marker at 2:02. 14 miles at 2:11:45.

The highlight - as always - is George Daugherty, Esq. of Charleston "The Earl of Elkview" singing and playing his guitar at the 142 mile mark. As I went by, George was in the middle of a stirring rendition of "God Bless America."

At the 14 3/4 mile marker - when I am really struggling to hold it together - Bill Ripley, a former fine runner from Charleston, is there shouting words of encouragement to every runner. This is the second location on the race course where Bill has been present to help us make it .

As I entered Laidley Field, which is the finish line for the race, I decided to attempt to catch Vance Golden, Esq. of Parkersburg, a fellow member of illustrious class of 1972 at the WVU College of Law. I gave it my best and catch him just at the finish line - but he nudges ahead of me by one second. As Vance and I slowly walk down the chute after the finish line, there is a sense of accomplishment. But, the major feeling is that every part of my body hurts!

I finished the race at 2 hours, 22 minutes, 30 seconds. It is an average of about 92 minutes for each of the 15 miles. Certainly not very fast, but I did run every step of the way.

There is now a real need for liquid refreshment. Fortunately, West Virginia Water Company and other vendors have people available to pour you all the water and sports drinks that you need. Vicky McClure, who many years ago was the assistant to Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Andy MacQueen, takes excellent care of me in replenishing the lost fluids.

The last Charleston Distance Run in the 1900's is over. It takes me only about a day to fully recover. I plan to be there again in 2000 for the 22^nd consecutive year.

P.S. The wonderful picture at the top of the page was taken by Ed Hamrick on the final lap at Laidley Field. For many years, Ed has been there taking pictures of exhausted runners from all over the world and then permitting them to purchase the photos from him so that you know just how bad you looked at the end of a 15 mile run. Ed's day job is as an assistant clerk at the West Virginia House of Delegates.