PARKERSBURG - Area runners are still getting out and running, but they are taking a few more precautions as temperatures continue to reach into the 90s throughout the week.
With the Parkersburg News and Sentinel's Half Marathon a little over a month away and other events throughout the summer, area runners are continuing their conditioning and training through the hot and humid days this week.
The National Weather Service in Charleston reported temperatures again reached into the 90s Tuesday. The high for today is expected to reach 98 degrees while the high Thursday is expected to be 97.
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Photo by Brett Dunlap
Members of the River City Runners and Walkers Club ran through Parkersburg City Park Tuesday. The heat, with temperatures reaching into the 90s, has not had a significant impact on local runners as many continue their outdoor conditioning.
Members of the River City Runners and Walkers Club have continued to get out and do their routines, usually starting at Parkersburg City Park. The routes are predetermined and they have stuck to them.
''I was at the half training (Monday) evening as I have been all along and there does not seem to be much fluxuation in the training,'' said Chip Allman, president of the River City Runners and Walkers Club. ''We do caution all runners and walkers to take on more water and not push too hard to get the route in.
''In some cases we have added another water stop along the way to help them out. As far as the amount of miles, the runners and walkers seem to be sticking to the program,'' he said.
Allman said they have not had many problems with people needing help. In a couple of instances they have had to transport a runner or walker back to City Park
However, the heat has bothered some more than others, said Sharon Marks, club vice president.
''Some people aren't used to it,'' she said. ''You just have to acclimate to it just like everything else.''
Marks said many of the runners are continually hydrating themselves throughout the day.
''I am always carrying a bottle of water with me all day,'' she said. ''We just have to be careful and if we have to slow down then we will slow down.''
Some of the runners have been doing part of their workouts early in the morning to avoid the heat.
''You just adjust,'' Marks said. ''We are trying to be safe.''
Allman said before going out on a run, the club advises everyone to stop at every water stop and hydrate with water or Gatorade.
Monday night's course was 10 miles and had four water stops. Allman said they added another stop to help runners deal with the heat.
''You do have to adjust your pace,'' he said.
However, the heat has not kept many runners and walkers away.
''We had over a hundred show up last evening to run or walk and that number seems to stay pretty consistent,'' Allman said Tuesday. ''When you are training for something, you almost have to stick to the schedule.''
