History of SWVRRC

The Southern West Virginia Road Runners Club was first developed in 1977 by Paul Hodges.  Paul got the ideal of developing a road runners club, by participating in the Kanawha Valley Track club.  At the time Paul was the cross country and track coach for Athens High School.  He wanted to develop a summer training program for athletes.   The first meeting for the club was held at Appalachian Building in Princeton.  Dave Klingensmith and Kevin O’Sullivan, both were runners and played a major part in getting the club started.

The club first runs were small events, often with only ribbons or no awards and no-tee shirts.  The club first race went from in front of Concord College to the Pump house bridge and back, with the distance only a rough estimate.  The first “large” race was held on Sunday, June 19, 1977 at Glenwood Park.  It was less than four miles over road and cross country.  The oldest age category was 40 and up and the women’s division was a mile run.

In the early years of the club there were not many races available, the club had to make its own.  Kevin O’Sullivan suggested we hold a race at Pipestem.  The first Pipestem Pumpkin Run was held in October 1978.  Pipestem Park was a popular site for other runs as well.  For several years close to Thanksgiving the club had Turkey Runs around the Lake and a frozen turkey was the prize for first place.  The club also held a fun run that started at the Canyon Rim Center.

Glenwood Park was another frequent site for one to three runs per year in the early years.  When Marc Gladney was President, the club hosted weekly training sessions at the Concord track consisting of 400 intervals with a 400 jogging recovery.  Another fun run that the club held was a poker run at the Bluefield City Park.   This consisted of five miles in two loops where you would pass the same point each mile and receive a card.  The one with the best hand at the end won the prize.  Running was less formal, less expensive, with less awards, but yet fun in the “old days”.