River City Runners vital to local race

PARKERSBURG - Throughout its history, the News and Sentinel Half Marathon has undergone some changes. The one constant, however, has been the involvement of the River City Runners Club.

"It's really a club race," first-year club president Chip Allman explained. "Just about every member of the club participates in it in one way or another."

The very first race, which was held on Saturday, Oct. 12, 1985, was the brainchild of then-RCR president Dorsey Cheuvront and became part of the city's bicentennial celebration. Following a year's absence, the race was re-established to coincide with Homecoming.

Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital was the primary sponsor at that time, but RCR members could be found on the organizing committee, among the race's hundreds of volunteers .

"If it involves running, we're involved in it," added Allman, who took over as the half marathon director following the retirement of John Huelse. "The club takes a lot of pride."

And puts in a lot of time.

Beginning merely weeks following the annual race, the committee begins monthly meetings to prepare for the next year's 13.1-mile classic. Those monthly meetings turn into weekly encounters the closer race day comes.

Under Huelse's leadership, the primary sponsor of the race changed hands from CCMH to the Parkersburg News and Sentinel. But the leadership among those who organize the event changed little.

"Their involvement (the River City Runners) is important to the success of the race," News and Sentinel executive editor Jim Smith explained. "As is the involvement of the hundreds of volunteers."

Under its guidance, the race has become one of the top events in the country, serving as the U.S. Men's National Championship from 1990 until 2001. It also has served as the Eastern Regional Championship for the Road Runners Club of America (2002-04) and as the RRCA's National Championship half marathon since 2005.

"You can go anywhere in the United States and mention the News and Sentinel Half Marathon and people will have heard about it," added Allman, who has served on the race's organizational committee for 10 years. "People recognize Parkersburg with the race. And, that's because everything that is done here is done first rate."

Part of that includes a training program that begins in June and helps runners prepare for the race. The group meets in the City Park every Monday evening and has as many as 100 runners and walkers participate.

"I don't know of very many other races that offer that kind of help to its potential runners and walkers," continued Allman. "Not only does it provide a plan on how to prepare for the race, but it also makes sure the runners and walkers have plenty of fluids at every training session and gives the newer runners a great support group."

With the 22nd annual race on Aug. 16 less than a month away, Allman and the race committee are busy.

"It's kind of hectic right now," said Allman. "But, it all works out on race day when everything comes together."

Until that day, however, it's back to work for Allman and fellow River City Runners Club members.