Run the Arb presents - The W Awards!

Well folks, it’s now 2009 and you know what that means… it’s time for the 2008 W Awards!

Every year the best of the best in WV distance running gather in the Days Inn Conference Center in Braxton County to eat, drink, be merry and receive fabulous prizes. Now remember, only West Virginian distance runners are eligible for these fabulous West Virginian prizes.

(Note: the Parks/Metcalfe Rule applies here. If asked the simple question, “Where are you from?” the reply “Edmonton” (Metcalfe) bars you from the incredible prizes, the reply “Bruceton Mills” (Parks) lets you in on the madness that is The 2008 W Awards!)

Category: Cross Country
2nd Runner-up: Clara Grandt. 32nd place USATF XC Championships, Member 2008 WVU XC Team, 3rd place Big East Championships, 6th place Mid-Atlantic Regional, 42nd place NCAA Championships.

Runner-up: Keri Bland. Member 2008 WVU XC Team, 4th place Big East Championships, 4th place Mid-Atlantic Regional, 14th place NCAA Championships (All-American).

Winner of a genuine turkey dinner (some hunting and cooking required) and the 2008 WV Cross Country Runner of the Year: Josh Simpson. 14th place USATF XC Championships, 2nd place individual NACAC.

Judges’ Comments: Simpson wins this award in a dogfight with Keri Bland. The Scottish judge campaigned for Bland because of her consistency and great finish at NCAAs, but the Mexican judge just repeated what he said last year, “It was USATF Nationals, hombre…”

Category: Track
2nd Runner-up: Michael Hardbarger. 1:53.17 800m, 2:28.74 1000m, 3:50.29 1500m, 8:31.39 3000m, qualified for DIII Outdoor Track and Field National Championships for 1500m.

Runner-up: Keri Bland. 2:07.01 800m, 2:48.66 1000m, 4:16.05 1500m, Member of School Record indoor DMR (All-American), 10th NCAA Outdoor 1500m (All-American), 7th place in semi-final U.S. Olympic Trials 1500m.

Winner of a brand-new telephone (assembly of cans and string required) and the 2008 WV Track Runner of the Year: Josh Simpson. 28:22 10000m, 28:37 10000m, 12th U.S. Olympic Trials 10000m.

Judges’ Comments: Hardbarger out-leaned Clara Grandt and Andrew Benford for the 2nd Runner-up position. The Russian judge raved about Hardbarger, mentioning that he “haz zom veels!” Simpson holds off Keri in this award with his incredible new PR and superb placing at the Trials.

Category: Roads

2nd Runner-up: Jason Pyles, 18th place Parkersburg Half-marathon 1:09:53, 4th Charleston Distance Run 1:25:47.

Runner-up: Heather Parks, 9th place Philadelphia Marathon 2:57:02.

Winner of an authentic hand-carved wooden mug (some whittling required) and our 2008 WV Road Runner of the Year: Josh Simpson. 8th place USATF Half-Marathon Championship in 1:03:54.

Judges’ Comments: Josh Simpson had a ridiculous 2008. After not winning a single W Award in 2007, he has swept the seasonal awards. Most in the crowd at the Days Inn agreed with the Japanese judge, who said, “Why he have to race on roads too? What, must he win everything and leave nothing for the little man? I stick samurai sword in his belly.”

Category: Overall Runner of the Year

2nd Runner-up: Clara Grandt. After 16:28, 34:11 and 42nd place NCAA Cross, Clara locked down a really fantastic year. Clara is the model of consistency and every year she is stronger and faster than the year before. Best of luck to her as she continues to progress as a runner. With her award, Clara wins a fabulous hand-knit sweater (some knitting required).

Runner-up: Keri Bland. 2:07, 4:16.05, three All-America awards and a semi-final appearance at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. This is almost certainly the best year any WV female distance runner has ever enjoyed. Keri’s 2008 was consistent, it was flawless, and it brought home the hardware by the truckload. For all of Ms. Bland’s troubles, she wins a genuine, previously-owned, “W”-autographed lamp (new light bulb and switch required).

2008 West Virginia Runner of the Year: Josh Simpson. It was a really simple choice, he had the best year for a West Virginian since Chris Fox and Steve Taylor roamed the Earth. 28:22, 12th U.S. Olympic Trials, 14th USATF Cross Nationals, 2nd NACAC, 8th USATF Half-marathon. Josh had a complete year, with good, tough races in every discipline. Congratulations to Mr. Simpson and, for your effort, you get a gift certificate to use W’s elliptical machine for 5 hours (redeemable at any time).

What a year for Mr. Simpson and what a year for the distance runner community in this state. Among other thrills, we got to see the WVU women’s team finish 4th (and return all their starters next year) and we got to watch Simpson and Bland fight their way to the U.S. Olympic Trials while having career-defining seasons. We also got to see the state as a whole continue to make big steps towards developing better and faster athletes. The momentum is picking up within the state and it’s a great time to be training and racing in West Virginia.

Well, that wraps it up from here in beautiful Braxton County. For all you big dreamers out there, keep dreaming every day and keep running every day… 2009’s winners are out putting in the miles right now!