LVMC Run to Read Half Marathon

Year 20 of the Run to Read Half Marathon!

Will it be 7 degrees or 70? Join us January 4th 2025 running a fast and flat 13.1 miles at beautiful Prickett's Fort state park!
100% of proceeds benefit Literacy Volunteers of Marion County, a United Way agency. LVMC provides free tutoring to adults & children in basic reading, math, ESL (English as a second language), GED preparation & related subjects. LVMC is affiliated with Literacy West Virginia.

Race Details

Race Director : Mark Sutyak runtoread@hotmail.com
Updates are emailed and also posted to the Official Facebook group
Instagram @RunToReadRaces
Same-Day Registration & Packet Pickup: 11:30am - 12:40pm at the lower parking lot on race day
Pre-Race Meeting:12:50pm at the starting line (below the church on the hill)
Age Divisions/Awards: Top three M/F overall. Three-deep M/F age groups: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
SWAG: Long-sleeve Tech Shirt & Finisher medals. Register one month prior to race to be guaranteed a shirt.
Food: Homemade chili and snacks provided after race until 6pm.
Aid Stations: 5 water stops. Bathrooms at upper visitor's center and near lower parking lot. One porta potty near the 7 & 11 mile aid stations.
USATF certified course! (pending recert paperwork as of 2024)
Walkers: Walkers are welcome. 4 hour time limit (food still available right up to 6pm)
Directions: I-79 exit 139. Follow signs to Prickett's Fort State Park. Map
GPS: 39.517456418644684, -80.09287652611096
Race capacity: 300 max for venue parking.
Bib transfers: Tranfers are permitted until 5 days prior to race. Contact the race director to transfer.

Course Description

The course is a simple double out and back and 100% on the rail trail. Only two turnarounds. Follow the bookworm mile markers!
Starting line is at the sign below Viola church. Run towards Fairmont ~2.2 miles on the asphalt trail, through the tunnel, and turn around at the posts. Proceed back towards the Fort, down the hill, right turn follwing the trail, and cross the bridge and onto the Mon River Trail with a crushed gravel surface. At approximately the 25 mile marker of the Mon River Trail turn around and run back towards the Fort.
Finish line is across the bridge straight through.
IMPORTANT: There are multiple road crossings on the Mon River side. While these are low-traffic roads, please use caution even if there are flaggers.

Parking

The main parking is at the lower lot of Prickett's Fort. Any other parking is likely not available, but may vary by year.
There is also public lot available off the I-79 exit where you can share a ride with a friend.

Lodging

There are many lodging options available in Fairmont and surrounding areas.

The following have offered discounts to Run to Read participants in the past:

Clarion Inn 930 East Grafton Rd. 681-404-3395
Fairfield Inn 27 Southland Dr. 304-367-9150
Hampton Inn 2121 Pleasant Valley Rd. 304-363-4999
Holiday Inn Express 2256 Landing Ln. 1-800-315-2621
Microtel Inn & Suites20 Southland Dr. 304-363-3100
Quality Inn1185 Airport Rd. 1-855-516-1090