Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
The storm clouds parted last Saturday just in time for the Great Greenbrier River Race. Hundreds of race enthusiasts from ages four to 78 were geared up for the one-of-a-kind triathlon.
Individuals and teams practiced all year to prepare for the three-mile run, four-mile paddle down the river and 10 miles of biking that began and ended in the center of downtown Marlinton.
Familiar faces who compete each year were joined by newbies who were eager to make the race a new tradition.
Spectators lined the street to cheer on runners and bikers and observed from the bridge as racers launched their boats into the river.
After the last racer returned to town, it was time to announce the winners. In addition to the awards for first, second and third in each category, there were several special awards.
Lynn Brookhauser was recognized as the most senior racer at the age of 78, and Juliana Flaim was the youngest, at the age of four. Receiving the best spirit award was Hailey Lucas.
The most creative team name award went to Team Doodlepuss.
Race results are available at: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/140935#resultSetId-544579;perpage:100
The top results are as follows:
Top Male Finisher – David Brukwall, of Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Top Female Finisher – Valerie Christoff, of Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
Male 0-16: first place, Leo Hoover, of Charleston; second place, Silas Dean, of Buckeye; and third place, Tyler Faulknier, of Marlinton.
Female 0-16: first place, Gabbie Rinehart, of Strasburg, Virginia; second place, Juliana Flaim, of Kernersville, North Carolina; and third place, J. Flaim, of Kingsville, Maryland.
Male 17-29: first place, Tucker Carr, of Kingwood; second place, Stephen Simmons, of Green Bank; and third place, Zach Harrison, of Scott Depot.
Female 17-29: first place, Hannah Ellison, of Sissonville; second place, Madi Michels, of Red House; and third place, Grace Ford, of Maysville.
Male 30-39: first place, Robert Barbor, of Buckhannon; second place, Jacob Key, of Crozet, Virginia; and third place, Josh Frash, of Westover.
Female 30-39: first place, Tiffany Harless, of Charleston; second place, Ariel Brooks, of Salem, Virginia; and third place, Sarah Ber-man, of Breckenridge, Colorado.
Male 40-49: first place, Aaron Huffman, of Lewisburg; second place, William Blake, of Scott Depot; and third place, Michael Cole, of Stout, Ohio.
Female 40-49: first place, Heather Hatfield, of Baltimore, Maryland; second place, Jaime Ford, of Fairmont; and third place, Teresa Segelson, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Male 50-59: first place, Robert Hainan, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; second place, Thomas Samples; and third place, John Wirts, of Charleston.
Female 50-59: first place, Jody Lucas, of Brookville, Pennsylvania; second place, Melissa Gamponia, of Charleston; and third place, Lisa Westfall, of Charleston.
Male 60-69: first place, Tim Daly, of Scott Depot; second place, Ray Legge, of Winchester, Virginia; and third place, Phil Pickett, of Blacksburg, Virginia.
Female 60-69: first place, Anita Swanson, of Fayetteville; second place, Cindy Evans, of Ronceverte; and third place, Amanda Eads, of Charleston.
Male 70-99: first place, Lynn Brookhouser, of Tilghman, Maryland; second place, Ronald Salisbury, of Charleston; and third place, Dennis Pinkley, of Hardy, Virginia.
Female 70-99: first place, Lynne. Ryan, of Maidsville; second place, Susan Chappell, of Hillsboro; and third place, Joan Phillips, of Winfield.
Team Male: first place, Sunny Hotdogs, of Green Bank; second place, Gideons Best, of Troy, Virginia; and third place, Spaghetti and Meatballs, of Fairmont.
Team Female: first place, South Branch River Pirates, of Morgantown; second place, 3 Fast 3 Furious, of Arbovale; and third place, Is this a Mother Daughter, of New Market.
Team Youth: first place, The Fishermen, of Marlinton; second place, F.A.T., of Marlinton; and third place, Three River Racers, of Lewisburg.
Team Masters: first place, That is All You, of Ashland, Kentucky; second place, Go Getters, of Derry, Pennsylvania; and third place, Faster Than We Look, of Huntington.
Team Family: first place, Mom is 75; second place, Dad and Favorite Daughter, of Morgantown; and third place, Joneses, of Frankford.
Team Coed: first place, Performance Kayak, of Brookville, Pennsylvania; second place, Deer Creek Demolishers, of Durbin; and third place, Run Bike Beer, of Morgantown.
Team Adaptive: first place, Challenged Athletes of West Virginia, of Clarksburg.
