Published: January 02, 2009 12:30 am      

Several returnees coming for Half-Marathon

FAIRMONT — Several of the top finishers from the 2008 race are expected to take part in the fourth annual Half Marathon race beginning at Pricketts Fort.

Proceeds from the Jan. 10 race will benefit the Literacy Volunteers of Marion County, a United Way Agency.

Director Jim Woolfitt discussed some of the runners who will be taking part in the race.

He said that Jaron Hawkins of Frostburg, Md., will be among the returnees for the race that attracted almost 200 runners last year. Jaron’s winning time in 2008 was 1:13:18. The former Frostburg State runner finished 4th overall last month at the Marine Corps Marathon with a time of 2:25, Woolfitt said.

Chelsea Jarvis of Clendenin won the women’s title in 2006 and 2008 with a second place finish in 2007 and she will be here. A senior at Capital High School, Jarvis ran 1:26:02 last year.

David McCollam of Bridgeport was the winner in 2007 and finished second last year with a time of 1:14:09. He also won the 2008 Run-to-Read 15K. He was a cross country runner at Alderson-Broaddus College.

David Mertz of Cumberland, Md. was fourth last year with a time of 1:17:30. He is slated to return.

So is Jeremy Rice of Frostburg, Md., who ran a 1:18:55 in 2008 to finish fifth.

Dan Dygert of Lineville, Pa. was a Top 10 finisher the first three years of the race. Last year he finished 9th in 1:20:54.

Planning to return after a year’s absence is Jeff Nelson of Titusville, Pa. His third place time in 2008 was 1:17:46.

A newcomer, Sarah Flament from Poland, Ohio, is expected to contend for the women’s title. Flament won the Pittsburgh Great Race 5K in September with an impressive time of 17:20.

“We have 80 pre-registered runners from 10 states (West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas and Vermont),” Woolfitt said. “We’re optimistic that this year’s turnout will exceed last year’s last year total of 186 finishers.”

This is believed to be the earliest race of any kind in West Virginia each year.

The Literacy Volunteers sponsor a Run-to-Read 5K and 10K race here each June.

Pre-registration closes on Jan. 5 but runners may register on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Prickett’s Fort Visitor’s Center.

Those interested may call 366-6055 or 825-6311 for information.