×

Kondrach wins Half Marathon walk crown

Photo by Seth Staskey Carl Kondrach wins the men's division of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic walk on Saturday.

WHEELING — The sun was shining, but there was still a chill in the air when 85 walkers set out on a 13.1 mile journey through the Friendly City.

In the end, however, a familiar name — Barnesville’s Carl Kondrach — was the first one to cross the finish line as the champion of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Walk held Saturday morning in downtown Wheeling.

Kondrach, a highly successful power walker who has been involved with road racing in basically every capacity possible, broke the tape in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 13 seconds, which was only 48 seconds ahead of runner-up Lee Stough.

“Lee normally blows me away,” Kondrach said. “He and I used to be pretty even for the longest time, but he’s really been training hard the last few years and just blowing me away at all distances.”

Not on Saturday.

Kondrach was able to overtake Stough at the bottom of Wheeling Hill and headed for the finish line.

“For me to beat Lee, he was having an off day, but honestly I think I just had a little bit more stamina,” Kondrach said. “He deserves a lot of credit for pulling and pushing me along. He’s the superior walker, but he had an off day.”

The 51-year-old Kondrach schedules himself for some 100 races a year. He’s upping his distance to 100K next week, which equals 62.1 miles.

“I love the camaraderie, the people, the atmosphere and excitement in the air at these events,” Kondrach said. “The awards are a byproduct. I enjoy getting out and talking with all of the walkers of all shapes, sizes, speeds, etc. It doesn’t matter where it is. I just love it.”

Kondrach actually competed in the then-Elby’s 20K at the age of 11 after lying on his race application, meaning he just completed his 37th time in the field either as a walker or runner.

“I am an average runner, but I am a far above average walker, so I enjoy that part of it more,” Kondrach said.

On the women’s side, Wheeling’s Megan Phillips, who just decided to enter the race late Friday night, never expected anything more than just a good, Memorial Day weekend workout. She actually left with third place overall and the title of female champion.

Phillips finished the walk in 2 hours, 34 minutes, 52 seconds. She was almost two minutes ahead of female runner-up Tereasa Danford, who clocked a 2 hours, 36 minutes, 3 second race.

“This was probably my seventh race, and I really like doing these,” Phillips said. “I always regret when I don’t do one of these races, so I just said, ‘what the (heck),’ and signed up.”

Phillips, who is a 2000 Wheeling Park High School graduate, stressed she doesn’t do the Ogden or any other race for prizes or acclaim. She simply enjoys everything about them.

“I love this race and being around everyone,” Phillips said. “I enjoy seeing the people on the side of the road cheering. I don’t know any of these people, but I love being around them. It’s fun. I am addicted to this energy.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today