Racers take off for the News and Sentinel Half-Marathon Saturday morning in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

PARKERSBURG — Hundreds of runners and walkers lined up in downtown Parkersburg on Saturday morning for the annual Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half-Marathon, a tradition that continues to bring together athletes, volunteers and the community.

This year’s half-marathon also doubled as the West Virginia Road Runners Club of America 2025 championship race.

Along the route, volunteers in color-coded shirts were stationed to provide assistance — yellow for bicycle patrol, red for medical personnel and blue for general support.

Before the start of the race, announcer Randy Kinsolving reminded participants of the rules, particularly for those entered in the walking division.

“If you’re signed up as a walker, you must walk the entire distance of your race, no running or jogging, and a slow jog is not walking,” Kinsolving said. “Your honesty and integrity will ensure a fair race for beginners through advanced walkers.”

Racers jet past the start to compete in the two-mile race at the News and Sentinel Half-Marathon Saturday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Awards for the two-mile race were handed out at Bicentennial Park at 9:30 a.m., while half-marathon awards were scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the St. Francis Xavier social hall near the finish line.

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce encouraged runners to pace themselves in the summer heat.

“It’s hot, so take your time… good luck and God bless,” Joyce said.

Organizers said participation was up about 20% from last year, with a total of 877 runners and walkers, up from 705 the year prior, with entrants ranging in age and experience.

“It’s a cross section of the population and a cross section of our communities,” said longtime race director Art Smith. “It really has nothing to do with whether you can stay fit or not. It’s just a great community event.”

Luke Bettenberger speeds through the final mile of the two-mile race Saturday at the News and Sentinel Half-Marathon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Among the many community groups represented were a women’s running club led by Kendra Doss.

“I started running last year, and I hated running alone, especially when it’s colder and darker,” Doss said. “So I thought it was a good idea to start a women’s only run club so everybody feels safe.”

Panera Bread of Parkersburg once again donated bagels for finishers, continuing a tradition that dates back more than seven years.

“We usually do four different kinds, and they’re half bagels because they’re easier to grab and go,” said catering manager Kayleigh Starkey.

Among the day’s standouts was 16-year-old Luke Brettenberger of Warren High School, who placed first in the two-mile race.

Two-mile racers cross the finish line during the News and Sentinel Half-Marathon Saturday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“Feels good,” Brettenberger said after crossing the line. “I turned this into sort of a qualifier just to see what the summer miles have done to me.”

The rising junior said he picked up cross country after struggling in basketball in middle school. “I sucked at basketball in sixth grade, so I decided to pick up cross country and track in seventh grade,” he said.

The other overall best include Logan Arnold in third and Gatlin McLain in second for the men’s category and Jalyn Eddy in third, Haley Raper in second and Ashlee Pate in first for the women’s category.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.

EDITOR’S NOTES: Click the links below for News and Sentinel Half Marathon sports coverage.

Racers gather at Bicentennial Park to receive awards for the two-mile race during the News and Sentinel Half-Marathon Saturday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

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