9th Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Masontown to Morgantown

A MOUNTAIN-MADE GREAT TIME
ON NATIONAL TRAILS DAY


A record 391 runners crossed the finish line at the 9th annual Deckers Creek Trail Half-Marathon, on June 6, 2009. This celebration of local rail-trails has brought state and national attention to the Mon River Trails Conservancy with its unique mostly downhill 13.1-mile course from Masontown to Morgantown. With ideal race day temperatures, this year's race attracted runners from fourteen states, Washington D.C., and Canada. Some participants came from as far away as Arizona, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, North and South Carolina, and Indiana and ranged in age from 14 to 76.

The Deckers Creek Trail Half-marathon celebrates National Trails Day, America's largest celebration of trails and the outdoors, held each year on the first Saturday in June. All proceeds from the event help the Mon River Trails Conservancy manage and maintain the Mon River and Deckers Creek Trails. This year's event raised over $8,000 for the rail-trails. Runners were treated to beautiful mountain views and the rushing waterfalls of the adjacent Deckers Creek as they descended approximately 800 feet on the Deckers Creek Trail. Runners enjoyed refreshments and music by Sam Lamont and Vince Farsetta before the award ceremony. Daniel DeWitt, of Frostburg, Maryland was awarded first in the overall male division, crossing the finish line in 1:09:25. First place in the women's overall and coming in 14th was Kate Walker with a time of 1:23:34. A complete list of race times and photographs can be found at www.iplayoutside.com.

MRTC would like to thank the sponsors of the race: West Virginia University Hospitals for the bus shuttle to the race start, Morgantown Roadrunners for the race timing, rockin' mountain-made music by Sam Lamont (guitar and vocals) and Vince Farsetta (banjo and vocals), refreshments from Casa D'Amici, Clarion Hotel Morgan, The Flying Fish and Co., MaxwellÕs Restaurant, Oliverio's Marketplace, Pepsi Bottling Company, PowerBar, and Waterfront Place Hotel. With funding from Adventure's Edge, AECOM, Boston Beanery, Dynamic Physical Therapy, Francis Engineering, MedExpress, Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pat Wildeman, Wamsley Cycles, Waterfront Jeep, and the city of Morgantown. We also thank the many volunteers that provided race support at race registration, start, along the course, at water stops, and at the finish line. Many thanks also to EMS, Morgantown Fire Department, city and county law enforcement for essential traffic control, cold-water sprays, and medical care. Your generosity and time made this a safe and successful event.

Thank you running community for your tremendous show of support for the rail-trails!