Costumed runners

Imagine, if you will, living in a house in the scenic area of Claymont Court southwest of Charles Town, West Virginia. Imagine looking out your window one morning and seeing fifty-nine runners pass by. Some of them are dressed in polyester and bell bottoms. Imagine checking your calendar to make sure that it isn't 1978!

It was indeed quite a sight on Saturday, March 4th, as the annual Claymont Ramble took on a '70s theme and became the Claymont Retro Ramble 5K! Race directors Rick and Julie Kerby, dressed to the nines, supplied participants with '70s music, '70s prizes, and '70s trivia, and a fun course.

Leesa Anderson

Many great '70s outfits were worn by runners (if "great" is really the word), from Elexa Waugh-Quasebarth's slick leather get-up to Mary Page's '70s track suit, from Billy & Katie Farrell's hippie togs to Karsten Brown's loud pimp clothes, from Kathy Smart's outrageous leopard-print body suit to Jen Peachey's prim & proper dress. The coveted disco ball for Best Outfit, however, went to Leesa Anderson for her silver crop top, garish bell bottoms, and orange wig. Studio 54, look out!

Dustin Sweeney

The '70s theme almost managed to obscure the fact that this was a running race. But men's winner Dustin Sweeney had no worries about distractions, as he wasn't even born until 1983. The D-Man sped through the rolling on- and off-road course in 17:31, capping his overall victory in the men's Winter Series. Shepherd College student Richard Keplinger finished a minute back for second, and third place runner Bill Frye came through another minute later. Fourth went to Warren County High School shop teacher Kennon Yeck in 19:42, and the militarily-attired Bill Senseney was fifth in 20:15.

Mary Page

Also managing to secure a victory in the overall Winter Series was 40-year-old Kim Burns, who easily bested the women's field at Claymont in 20:57. Ruth Riemenschneider evidently is recovering from her foot surgery, placing second (joined by husband Neal) in 21:35. Third went to '98-'99 Winter Series goddess Krista Farris in 21:58, while Heather Owens ran strong for fourth in 22:32. And with her fifth place spot in the Winter Series standings on the line, 17-year-old Mary Page put in an excellent performance to secure both fifth in the race and in the series, crossing the line in 22:44.

Kids run

An informal kids run was held after the 5K, with participants running a short out-and-back course. Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth and the Immortal Katie Farrell, both of whom ran the 5K, were the fastest boy and girl. Also participating were Christan & Tara Owens, Brooke & Mariah Krossman, James & Alex Kerby, and Brittany "Fast As A Cheetah" Anderson!

And then came the '70s trivia. Rick Kerby posed to random runners a number of '70s trivia questions, such as "Who ran for president against Richard Nixon in 1972?"

Rick quizzes Heather Owens

(Mind you, the questions about "Get Smart" and "I Dream Of Jeannie" were a little suspect, as the five year runs of both shows ended in 1970...) In the end, the contest was between Heather Owens and Celeste Heath, and Celeste took home the prized lava lamp after Heather could not answer the question about what kind of car was driven by "Starsky & Hutch". (Wasn't it a Ford Torino?)

Numerous other random prizes were awarded after the race, including two '70s-themed cakes baked by Kim Yeck, groovy mix tapes from Rick Kerby and Karsten Brown, old records, running books, other '70s books, and all sorts of other good (or bad) stuff. A runner was spotted trying to grab Rick's stereo system, but alas, it was not being offered as a prize.

Myron Kremer

We all got to give it up to the grooviest of groovy race directors, Rick & Julie, and to all of the fine volunteers as well, including Lucy Haywood, Kim Yeck, Alisa Farrell, Jerry Anderson, and Tom Sullivan. They all make us feel like dancing! And special mention must be made of studly course marshal Myron Kremer, who looked extremely slick standing out on Huyette Road with his wide-collared shirt & jacket. Many many thanks to all of you.

Don't forget to check out our selection of race pictures. And there are even more excellent pictures available on WV Outside!

And thus concludes the 1999-2000 SVR Winter Series! It's been fun, folks. See ya next year!