WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The Greenbrier Resort welcomed hundreds of runners to its golf course on Saturday, May 8, to participate in the fourth annual Greenbrier Half Marathon, 10k and 5k races. The 2020 Greenbrier Half Marathon was canceled due to COVID-19.
Despite the chilly morning, this year’s participants were excited and ready to start their trek through the resort’s 11,000-acre grounds.
The first group of half marathon (13.1 miles) runners crossed the start line at 6:45 a.m., followed by the second group at 7 a.m.
10k (6.2 miles) runners took off at 7:15 a.m., and 5k (3.1 miles) runners finished off the start of the race at 7:30 a.m.
As the morning passed, runners moved from the resort’s Outdoor Pool and through the golf courses before cutting through several of the property’s residential areas and crossing the finish line.
After the race, Lootpress caught up with two of the half-marathon runners, Michele Staker and Bessie Brown.
Both women, who are avid runners, have been participating in The Greenbrier Half Marathon since the event’s inception in 2017.
“It’s always fun to cross that finish line and mentally know that you’ve done a challenge that you’ve put your body to,” Staker said, adding that she highly recommends participating in any distance race that The Greenbrier offers due to the amazing scenery.
“It’s a beautiful course. The weather is always great, and the food at the end is awesome.”
“I think everyone should try running,” Brown chimed in. “I think it’s great therapy, It’s a great stress reliever, and it’s a challenge that anybody can accomplish.”
The pair have been running together for years, participating in races all across the country. In two weeks, they will be traveling to Utah to run a half marathon in the Moab desert.
As runners crossed the finish line, they were ushered into the resort’s main clubhouse and enjoyed a complimentary brunch.
At 9:30 a.m., participants gathered outside the clubhouse for the awards ceremony.
The overall top three finishers for each race are listed below.
Half Marathon Male
1: Joseph Feeney in 01:24:04
2: Alexander Hetherington in 01:24:09
3: Aaron Walker in 01:28:47
Half Marathon Female
1: Haley Wagner in 01:31:59
2: Emily Chappelear in 01:33:03
3: Danielle Kays in 01:33:56
10K Male
1: Taylor Monroe in 38:47
2: David Leibowitz in 41:27
3: Joshua Webb in 45:15
10k Female
1: Kristin Siegel in 33:07
2: Whitney Mylum in 47:43
3: Ainsley Walker in 51:44
5k Male
1: Ryan Middleton in 18:05
2: Cam Rivest in 21:24
3: Kellen Alderman in 23:39
5k Female
1: Shelby Stanley in 24:27
2: Jaclyn Alderman in 25:32
3: Abby Wendell in 26:18
Medals were also awarded to the top three runners in each age group which included 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and over.
View the complete race results here.