8th Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon
Saturday, June 7, 2008
9 a.m.

FAST TIMES ON NATIONAL TRAILS DAY


Recognized as the fastest half-marathon in West Virginia, 307 runners crossed the finish line at the 8th annual Deckers Creek Trail Half-Marathon on June 7, 2008. This celebration of local rail-trails brought state and national attention to the Mon River Trails Conservancy with its unique mostly downhill 13.1-mile course from Masontown to Morgantown. Despite the heat wave, this year's race attracted runners from a record eighteen states and the Washington D.C. area. Some participants came from as far away as Arizona, Washington, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Georgia and ranged in age from 15 to 75.

The Deckers Creek Trail Half-marathon celebrates National Trails Day, America's largest celebration of trails and the outdoors, held each year on the first Saturday in June. All proceeds from the event help the Mon River Trails Conservancy manage and maintain the Mon River and Deckers Creek Trails. This year's event raised over $8,000 for the rail-trails.

Runners were treated to beautiful mountain views and the rushing waterfalls of the adjacent Deckers Creek as they descended approximately 800 feet on the Deckers Creek Trail. Runners enjoyed refreshments and music by Halftime String Band and Sam Lamont before the award ceremony. Dave McCollam, of Bridgeport, West Virginia was awarded first in the overall male division, crossing the finish line in 1:17:52. First place in the women's overall and coming in 6th was Heather Parks of Bruceton Mills with a time of 1:28:31. The Deckers Creek Trail Half-Marathon is part of the Morgantown Area Grand Prix endurance series. A complete list of race times and photographs can be found at iplayoutside.com.

MRTC would like to thank the sponsors of the race: West Virginia University Hospitals for the bus shuttle to the race start, Morgantown RoadRunners for the race timing, rockin' music by the Halftime String Band and Sam LaMont, refreshments from Casa D' Amici, Classics Restaurant Lounge, Clif Bar, Maxwell's, Oliverio's Marketplace, Pepsi Bottling Company, and Waterfront Place Hotel. With funding from Adventure's Edge, Boston Beanery, Dave's Snack Shack, Francis Engineering, Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pat Wildeman, Wamsley Cycles, Waterfront Jeep, Wesbanco, Wings Olé and the city of Morgantown. We also thank the many volunteers that provided race support at race registration, start, along the course, at water stops, and at the finish line. Many thanks also to EMS, Morgantown Fire Department, city and county law enforcement for essential traffic control, cold-water sprays, and medical care. Your generosity and time made this a safe and successful event.

Thank you running community for your tremendous show of support for the rail-trails!