(Marlinton) If you were in downtown Marlinton Saturday morning – you saw history being made. The Greenbrier River Race superseded all previous records not only in numbers of participants, but numbers of spectators, number of prizes, and most importantly, amount of sponsorship dollars. 
      This year’s competition brought 100 racing teams into Pocahontas County. Racers came from as far away as South Carolina and as near as Marlinton. The Charleston area featured 31 racers, more than any other year. 
      The Greenbrier River Race celebrated its 20th year, Saturday April 29, 2006 and things could not have gone any better. From the gorgeous weather, to the enthusiasm, to the perfectly scored event, viewers and racers boasted afterwards how good the Race was this year. The annual fundraising event for the Greenbrier River Trail Association also broke all previous records for raising money. Event sponsors said Monday the Race registration fee along with the sponsorship donations were significantly more than any previous year. 
      Trail Association President, Leslee McCarty gives much of the credit to the new Race coordinator, Ms Robin Demarchi. “Robin has been a racer for many years and her expertise and personal insight into racing and triathlons really helped in chairing this event. Her enthusiasm is contagious!” 
      Monies from the annual Race go towards improvements on the Greenbrier River Trail, which stretches 79 miles along the Greenbrier River in Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties. New interpretative signs continue to be the priority for the Greenbrier River Trail Association. 
      Overall winner was Wisp Outdoor from Maryland with a total time of 1:31:58. Solo Male first place was Ray Legge of Winchester, VA with a total time of 1:33:31; second place Brad McGee of Charleston WV1:41:49; Ken Cooper of Charleston WV 1:46:47. Solo Female first place went to Krista Birkelo of Athens, OH1:47:10; second place Shannon Wilcox of Charlottesville VA 1:49:26; third place Merrill Indoe of Charlottesville VA at 1:50:58. Solo Male Master first place Ralph Robertson of arrows VA at 1:42:54; second place Robert Shaw of Lewisburg WV at 1:53:17 and third place to Laurie Cameron of Hillsboro WV at 1:54:42. Solo Female Master was Patty Hobbs of White Sulpher Springs at 2:25:36. 
      Team winners were: Male team Droop Mountain Boys of Frankford WV at 1:33:01; second place Fitness Forum of Lewisburg at 1:34:36; and third place Balance of Asbury WV at 1:37:38. Female team winner was Chickadees of Charleston WV at 1:54:18. 
      Master Team winners were first place Flash, Splash, and Dash from Blacksburg VW at 1:44:31; second place J and J Duo from Huntington WV with 2:00:27; third Broken Down from Charlottesville at 2:01:28. The Advantage Team winners were first place Team A-B from Bridgeport WV 1:33:37; second place Angry Beavers from Kenova WV at 1:50:03; third place Earth, Wind, and Fire from Bradley WV 1:53:45. Coed team winners were first place Team Lockdown from Beaver WV 1:51:58; second place Nelson Family from South Charleston 1:52:39; third place Old Blue from Barboursville WV 1:54:09. 
      Family winners were first place Father, Son, and Holy Boat from Hurricane WV 1:37:05; second place Rachel Weber from Buckhannon WV 1:46:10; and third place Mathis Brothers from Huntington WV 1:48:07. 
      “We owe a huge thank you to not only the sponsors but the volunteers, the Town of Marlinton, the professional time keepers, and the CVB staff. We couldn’t have done it without them,” said McCarty. 
      Special awards for 20 years of service to the Great Greenbrier River Race were given to Leslee McCarty, Mary Willis and Gil Willis. 
      All times and splits will be posted on the Web site www.iplayoutside.com.