Hatfield and McCoy Half Marathon
Williamson, West Virginia
Saturday, June12, 2010

Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield and Randolph “Old Ranel” McCoy blasted their shot guns to begin the renewed feud known as the Hatfield and McCoy Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday, June 12, 2010. The skies were overcast. The temperature was 70 degrees. The wind was nonexistent. I began to race walk the half marathon. The first two miles were a gradual downhill. The next 4.5 miles were a gradual uphill. The next mile was a steep climb to the top of a mountain pass, which made the total climb to be about 1200 feet. The next mile was a steep downhill, which lost nearly 1000 feet of elevation. The rest of the course was generally a gradual down hill with a few short gradual climbs intermixed within. It was a challenging course. When I reached the top of the mountain pass, a heavy rain began to fall, which after about thirty minutes, changed to intermittent showers for the rest of the race. Some rumbles of thunder could be heard echoing through the mountains. The road was open to traffic which for the most part yielded to the participants. Several police cars travelled slowly along the course encouraging drivers to watch out for the participants. There was no shoulder along most of the roads and coal trucks were part of the traffic. Water/Powerade stations were located every mile and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Spectators were almost nonexistent. The race was part of the Hatfield & McCoy Reunion Festival which featured mountain music, arts & crafts, and food. A pre-race pasta meal which featured actors portraying Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield and Randolph “Old Ranel” McCoy, who explained the main events that occurred in the infamous feud which lasted between 1865 and 1889, and a post race lunch were included in the entry fee which was only $30. It takes a little effort to get to Williamson, West Virginia as it is in a very isolated section of the Appalachian Mountains and lodging is somewhat scarce in the area; however, it was well worth it as far as I am concerned. The event is fun and well organized and economical. The two races attracted a record number of 400 entrants, many of whom belong to the 50 States Marathon Club, the Marathon Maniacs, and the Half Fanatics. In addition to getting to talk to many friends from the clubs to which I belong, I received a bonus as I earned third place in my running age group even though I walked the entire half marathon. Except for the rain which caused flash floods Saturday night, I enjoyed the entire trip.