West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners
A Mountain State of Running
Annual Meeting 2023
Date: 7/21/2023 – 7/23/2023
Location: Dusty’s Dandy, near Durbin WV
The 2023 WVMTR Annual Meeting was held this weekend at Andrew Rhodes’s and Carissa Herman’s family property near Durbin WV. The weather was between 55-72 degrees Fahrenheit for the weekend, quite perfect for camping and running. It rained on Thursday night, but clear skies for the remainder of the weekend.
There were 16 people in attendance including two toddlers. Camping started on Friday night with everyone arriving in the evening. Tents were set up in the yard and the woods, and two hammocks were hung in the woods. The two families with toddles slept inside the cabin. Friday dinner of pasta and salad was eaten around the campfire.
Saturday morning started with breakfast of oatmeal, fruit, toast, and Quantum Bean coffee. We carpooled to the Locust Spring Picnic Area located in the George Washington National Forest. Yes, this is in Virginia territory, but the picnic ground is only accessible from the West Virginia route 28! There we met Adam Casseday playing banjo on the picnic table. Seven of us set out for a 6.5-mile group run down Buck Spring Trail and back up Locust Spring trail. The first 3.25 miles were nearly flat and downhill. There were a few fallen trees and a handful of creek crossing. Heading up Locust Spring trail, the nettles were overgrown and up to my chest (over 4 feet tall) in places. Here the running was not as enjoyable, but the scenery was still beautiful. Some folks ran through the nettles, some walked through the creek, others bashed the nettles down with a stick. The last mile of Locust Spring trail opens up with a soft bed of pine needles before returning to the parking lot.
After the run, we returned to the cabin and ate a pot-luck lunch. The annual meeting commenced around the campfire ring (no fire yet). We discussed the previous years finances, races, club events, and proposals for next year. The Board of Directors meeting immediately followed. Then we relaxed in the yard. There were yard games with rope pull on wood blocks, frisbee, and Adam played banjo and Aaron played guitar and sang. Mikala let everyone try the Recovery Air leg pressure cuffs. Martha and Claire put sparkling hair clips in everyone’s long hair. At one point, Davis dropped a toy, Riven picked it up and said “help” while passing the toy back to Davis. Dinner was chorizo and beef tacos with all the topics. We ate around the campfire, made s’mores, and told stories.
Sunday was breakfast of bacon, eggs, coffee, and fruit. Everyone spent time cleaning up their campsite and the cabin. Ian went for another run. We all left by 11am.
It was another great camping weekend for the 2023 annual WVMTR club meeting. We spent time with old friends and made new friends. Even the toddlers played together and shared their toys. We look forward to seeing everyone again at the remaining 2023 WVMTR races and at next year’s annual meeting.
Andrew + Carissa + Riven
WVMTR Race Preparedness and Safety Planning Guide
This Planning Guide was discontinued on 10/20/2022. These policies are no longer in effect.
The WVMTR Board of Directors has adopted a Preparedness and Safety Planning Guide for hosting club sponsored races and events. The Board has adopted a set of guidelines that all WVMTR events and races must follow. The WVMTR Event Waiver also has been updated to include language specific to COVID-19.
Guidelines for Holding WVMTR Events
Until further notice, any races that meet criteria to proceed must have a COVID Mitigation Plan presented to the WVMTR Board of Directors that must include, but is not limited to:
- The event will only proceed if the existing WVMTR race director primarily desires to proceed with the event direction entrusted to them by the WVMTR Board of Directors.
- Social distancing is required at the start and finish
- Socially distant award ceremonies.
- Masks available for runners and volunteers that wish to utilize them.
- Limited indoor activities for participants
- Hand sanitizer available at all aid stations
- Self-serve aid stations with prepackaged food options
- Mandatory for runners to self-report to the race director any new onset COVID-like symptoms (fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, etc.) and/or exposure. Full refund will be given to runners who self-report prior to or on race day.
- Agreement to adhere to suggested COVID-19 guidelines from local authorities.
Club supported fun run guidelines:
- All participants must complete the updated waiver with the communicable disease exclusion.
- Participants and organizer/s must follow the club COVID mitigation plan (above).
Our policies are informed by the state and federal guidelines put forth by the WV DHHR and CDC. Please stay up-to-date by visiting their websites for more information.
The goal of the WVMTR is to encourage running and the healthy, positive qualities that running encompasses.
See you on the trail,
WVMTR Board of Directors and Race Directors
