PARKERSBURG - Her first time out in a half marathon race-walk Saturday, Amy Stansberry of Dallison not only competed, but won the Parkersburg News and Sentinel women's event in a time of 2:26.
Stansberry, 43, started race-walking in 2013 "when my oldest son was running cross country and he didn't want to come to these races alone," she explained. "So I thought I might do them with him, and I just kind of got addicted to it."
So when Stansberry crossed the tape at the finish line Saturday ahead of all her competitors, she admitted being "surprised - very much so."
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Photo by Jeff Baughan
Amy Stansberry eyes the finish line at Saturday’s Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon race. Stansberry placed first in the female walkers division.
Stansberry, born and raised in Ritchie County, was not involved in any running growing up. "I started when I turned 40," she said. "My son was involved in it, and I wanted to get in shape and lose weight too. I've really enjoyed it and made lots of good friends in the process."
Before Saturday, Stanberry said she "normally" does 5Ks; "that's usually all I've done. I've done a couple of 10Ks, but not very many." Still, though, "I've won a bunch of them," she added,
Saturday, Stansberry was leading the 13.1-mile half marathon race-walk field "at least by the two-mile mark. It was a very hilly, tough course. I knew a little bit about it, but not like actually being out there. It's different driving in a car than actually walking up those hills. I do train on hills a lot out where we live, so living in the country helps a lot."
Stansberry wholeheartedly plans to continue race-walking, "because I've really enjoyed it," she said. "I've got my husband (Howard) involved now and we have fun doing it."
But out on the course Saturday, "really after I passed two walkers - the two that got second and third - I really didn't see any female walkers at all," said Stansberry. "I was pacing myself with the runners - there was no one else around."
On the weather Saturday, "it was not as hot as it has been when I'm training in the evenings," said Stansberry. "And the sun wasn't out, so it made it nice. It was humid, but I don't mind the heat; I don't like being cold."
She and her husband have three children, one in college. But the other two and Howard "were along the course cheering me on," said Stansberry.
She had "set a goal of 2:35 before the race, but at 2:26, I 'crushed it' as my son would say."