SMITH: Every racer is different

August 12, 2023

So you are going to run your first half marathon this year? That’s great, I hope you have chosen the News and Sentinel Half Marathon to break into long distance running. You are not alone in your desire to run this exciting distance. Each year more than two million people globally choose to run in 13.1 mile races, just about double the number that does full marathons. I personally think it is a great length. It’s long enough to challenge you while being short enough that it will not wipe you out for a month. An interesting thing about doing a half marathon is that it is ...

SMITH: The way I See It

August 5, 2023

Half marathon is a chance to be part of something big The News and Sentinel Half Marathon is in two weeks – it’s not too late for you to become part of the epic event by either running or walking in the 13.1-mile half marathon, or its sibling, the News and Sentinel Two-Mile Race. I have now been involved with the races for 21 years. There is a great group of people that help stage the event every year. Hundreds of volunteers give up their Saturday morning on the third Saturday in August every year to put on the huge event. They do things like hand out water, pass out awards, ...

Eastern football has high expectations for 2023 season

August 3, 2023

It’s that time of year again. Football season is up and rolling and I was able to start my rounds on Saturday at Eastern High School with the Eagles. I’ve known second-year head coach Jason Jackson for quite a long time and he’s never afraid to tell you how things are, whether it’s good or not so good. The EHS coaching staff was able to help the team to a 9-3 campaign last fall and a berth in the second round of the Buckeye State playoffs. After spending some time at media day talking with coach Jackson as well as senior players Rylee Barrett and Brandon Oldaker, I get ...

SMITH: Market Street a fitting end

July 29, 2023

Half marathon concludes in the historic center of Parkersburg If you run either the News and Sentinel Half Marathon or Two-Mile Race you will start and end at two locations that have been used for decades to begin and conclude the races. The races both start near the intersection of Third and Juliana streets. A white line is painted across the street to mark where runners will line up the morning of Aug. 19. Normally traffic flows into the area from the off ramp for Route 50, from up the section of Juliana Street that connects with Second Street, and from Third Street. On the ...

BENNETT: Good night for a run

July 27, 2023

Saturday night’s Kicks for Kids 5K here in Parkersburg might not have had the biggest field, but it appears both runners and walkers are coming back to the sport. Following the event and prior to the awards ceremony, race co-director Sharon Marks thanked everyone who participated. Money raised from the event should turn into around 100 pairs of shoes for students in Wood and Washington Counties. “Sharon does a great job putting on the race and everyone that helps her,” admitted men’s run champion Scott Burnham, who said his next race will be the News and Sentinel Half ...

SMITH: Rucking category adds additional challenge to race

July 22, 2023

We all know that running and walking is a great way to burn calories while getting fit. Some people chose to make it even more challenging by adding weight to their workout. This is called rucking, and there is a whole group of walkers that have been adding to their weekly workout by carrying a few extra pounds in a backpack before heading out. Rucking allows a person to do strength training during which one would normally be in the gym lifting weights, while at the same time doing the endurance training that one normally equates with running and walking. We have had people rucking ...