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Belpre runners carry baton in national anniversary relay

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BELPRE -- For Belpre's cross country runners, a 12-mile stretch of a national relay offered steep hills, a chance to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary and one more run together after the end of their season.

Ten Belpre athletes in grades eight through 12 participated in the American Discovery Trail relay Thursday, taking over from Warren High School's cross country team and carrying the batons into Belpre, Varsity Cross Country Coach Jen Wells said.

The relay continued Friday morning as Erica Campbell, O.B. Epling, Dennis Stephens, Sharon Weekley, and Mayor Susan Abdella along with relay coordinators Rhiis Lopez and Sara Heitman, made their way across the bridge connecting Belpre and Parkersburg. Friday's leg was scheduled to end in Pennsboro, West Virginia.

Thursday's route began in Chesterhill near the Triple Nickel Diner. Warren's runners completed the first portion before meeting the Belpre team at Napoli's Pizza in the Vincent area, according to Lopez and Heitman.

Belpre's athletes covered the final 12 miles, Wells said.

"It was just a really great experience for them," she said, pointing to team camaraderie and pride in the area.

For sophomore Drew Williams, the appeal was spending a day running with his teammates. The biggest challenge came early, with two large hills. Williams estimated the route included about 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

"My favorite part today was doing everything with my team," he said.

Sophomore Gabby Campbell said the relay gave her another opportunity to run with the team's seniors after the season ended.

"What made me want to participate was since the season's over, I don't really get to run with my team anymore, so I thought this would give me a good, like, last, really fun run to do with my seniors," Campbell said.

One of her favorite moments came as the runners listened to music together.

"My favorite part was when we were playing our favorite song, and we were all crying because we felt so free and amazing to be running," she said.

Junior Maddie Stewart also said time with her teammates and coaches made the experience worthwhile, despite the hills.

For senior Anna Miller, the relay provided a way to close out her season alongside the people she had spent it with.

"I just wanted to spend the last time with all my teammates and my coach, and have a great end to my season," Miller said.

Lopez, a relay coordinator, and Heitman, the ground coordinator, said they worked with local school and city officials to arrange Thursday's activities. Two bicyclists also traveled the full day's route.

The coordinators followed in a support vehicle stocked with water, snacks and electrolytes. The teams also had their own support vehicles, Lopez said.

The relay celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Participants carry batons and a copy of the declaration, Lopez said.

More than 2,000 people had participated by the time the relay reached Belpre, according to Lopez. The relay is scheduled to conclude at the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware on Thanksgiving Day.

Lopez said the effort gives people a shared goal regardless of political differences, with each participant contributing to a larger undertaking.

"Even if the person you're handing the baton to doesn't agree with you," Lopez said.

Heitman said that sense of connection has helped generate enthusiasm along the route.

"I think a lot of people are taking joy in being part of something big, bigger than them," she said.