The Elk River Rail Trail Marathon, West Virginia’s newest Marathon, concluded Sunday as the final event of the 50th Annual Clay County Golden Delicious Apple Festival. Over 250 runners registered from over 20 states, more than doubling last year’s participants. Most that registered were present at the starting gate, along with supporters and well-wishers, despite pouring rain right up to the start of the race.
The Marathon / Half Marathon / 5k Race began at the headquarters of the Central Appalachian Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) at the JG Bradley Lodge and Campground just outside the town of Clay. Runners ran the Rail Trail spur to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, then headed north along the Elk River Trail. Full marathon runners ran to Ivydale before reversing course.
The event benefits the Elk River Trail Foundation. The Foundation would like to thank Ricky and Caren Campbell and the Appalachian Timing Group for organizing and managing the event, and the Central Appalachian Empowerment Zone (J.G. Bradley Campground) and the Clay County Little League for permitting use of their facilities, making this year’s second annual marathon/half marathon/5K a huge success. A debt of gratitude is also owed to the volunteers from the Mountain State Wheelers and the Elk Valley Trail Foundation who spent a long day making safety and aid bike rides along the 26-mile course and manning the water and aid stations for the runners.
This year’s winners:
Full Marathon
Males – Trent Crofut (3:41:23.
Females – Eliana Agudelo (4:07:52.6)
Half Marathon
Males – Sawyer Dobbins (1:28:10.4)
Females – Beth Carson (1:47:27.5)
5K
Males – Marc Radcliff (20:15.4)
Females – Marissa Atha (23:26.5)