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St. C. grad finishes 4th overall

WHEELING — Things keep getting better and better for Kyle Timko.

At least as far as the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic is concerned, anyways.

Timko, the 26-year-old from St. Clairsville, has been running on the streets of downtown Wheeling for five years now and each year his time, and place, keep improving.

Saturday, the former New York and Boston Marathon entrant was the top local finisher in the half marathon, finishing fourth overall in the run with a time of 1:18:12.

It marked Timko’s third straight year as the top local finisher.

”The only difference is this year I ran two minutes faster, so this is my PR on this course,” he said. ”So, I’m very pleased with that.

”I’m surprised, too, because I just ran the Pittsburgh Marathon three weeks ago and I knew I wouldn’t be 100 percent. I really felt kind of lethargic at some points, but I loosened up a bit and was very pleased to set a PR.

”It’s always special to run this course.”

Timko also finished fourth last Memorial Day weekend, clocking in at 1:20:54. In 2015, his 1:21:29 netted him a 10th-place finish. Three years ago, Timko was ninth (1:24:01), while in 2013 he was 15th overall (1:23:12).

”I was more familiar with the course this year, and I was more familiar and prepared this year than any other year,” he said.

Like everyone else, Timko said he had to deal with the challenges of the course’s four big hills. But, in the end, he was able to stay close to the leaders, finishing only about four seconds back of the winner, Teferi Bacha Regasa.

”In the beginning, I ran very conservative,” Timko said. ”I think it was in the latter part of 29th Street that I started to take it up a bit.”

Timko’s Pittsburgh Marathon appearance was his first event of 2017. With the Ogden in his rearview mirror, he’ll now focus on faster events like the Barton 5K — which he’s the defending champ of — slated for four weeks. And while he’s contemplating another NYC run, he said ”nothing’s set in stone.”

As it stands, Timko will spend the rest of this holiday weekend cherishing his performance in the Ogden, which, for him, is close to his heart.

”It’s a staple and it’s a challenging course,” he said. ”It means a lot to be the first local finisher and it’s very special to me.”

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