Runners, bikers, walkers, swimmers and skiers all turn to iPlayOutside.com to find out about outdoor activities they can enjoy, calling it the most comprehensive and up-to-date site for all people-powered sports in the state.

Now 10 years old, the online magazine based in Morgantown provides information to everyone who wants to play citizen sports. But the founders also want to build the Appalachian tourism market and sustain rural areas where people play outdoor sports.

Don Parks, founder of iPlayOutside, worked on computers by day and biked and played outdoors in his free time. As a runner and biker, he found it difficult to find information about local races and biking events.

On his own, Parks began posting local race information to his Web site, and discovered that many people were going there for information. He hired staff, including Julie Black, the magazine's first full-time employee and now co-owner and director of operations, and J.R. Petsko, the head photographer.

Runners and bikers can find pictures of themselves and their friends on the site, even years later. And, of course, all the race times are recorded on the site. Even amateurs can be competitive.

"We also try to encourage people to get outside," Black said. "You do not have to be a major athlete. I also think you do feel like a kid again when you are playing outside."

She said many Web sites track large races and events, but at iPlayOutside.com they try to include all outdoor events in West Virginia. "The smaller events, no one knew about them, so we want to give them space, too," she said.

Personal trainer Jennifer Ginsberg, an avid runner, uses the site to help her plan for future running events.

"I also use it to set workout goals for the rest of the year," said Ginsberg, a former Charleston Gazette reporter. "It's a great resource for anyone interested in outdoor activities."

Runners, bikers, walkers, swimmers and skiers all turn to iPlayOutside.com to find out about outdoor activities they can enjoy, calling it the most comprehensive and up-to-date site for all people-powered sports in the state.

Now 10 years old, the online magazine based in Morgantown provides information to everyone who wants to play citizen sports. But the founders also want to build the Appalachian tourism market and sustain rural areas where people play outdoor sports.

Don Parks, founder of iPlayOutside, worked on computers by day and biked and played outdoors in his free time. As a runner and biker, he found it difficult to find information about local races and biking events.

On his own, Parks began posting local race information to his Web site, and discovered that many people were going there for information. He hired staff, including Julie Black, the magazine's first full-time employee and now co-owner and director of operations, and J.R. Petsko, the head photographer.

Runners and bikers can find pictures of themselves and their friends on the site, even years later. And, of course, all the race times are recorded on the site. Even amateurs can be competitive.

"We also try to encourage people to get outside," Black said. "You do not have to be a major athlete. I also think you do feel like a kid again when you are playing outside."

She said many Web sites track large races and events, but at iPlayOutside.com they try to include all outdoor events in West Virginia. "The smaller events, no one knew about them, so we want to give them space, too," she said.

Personal trainer Jennifer Ginsberg, an avid runner, uses the site to help her plan for future running events.

"I also use it to set workout goals for the rest of the year," said Ginsberg, a former Charleston Gazette reporter. "It's a great resource for anyone interested in outdoor activities."

The people behind iPlayOutside also want to draw attention to the beauty of the region. "We strive to build the Appalachian tourism market and help sustain the rural areas we play in," they explain on their site.

"The participants who pay to race, tour, and play in Appalachian's natural resources, ... will increase and the areas where these events take place become more valuable. These outdoor active events generate money for the communities they serve, draw attention to their campaigns, and bring more health awareness to our rural area."

Ernie Kincaid, vice president of ACE Adventure Resort, a Fayette County whitewater rafting company, advertises his company on iPlayOutside and appreciates their efforts to support tourism.

"That's our reasoning, too, behind the races we sponsor," he said. "You do not make money on a race. But it gets people here. Once they see the area, and what you have to offer, they are likely to come back."

State Division of Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver also called the site "fantastic. It's a good resource for the adventure tourist. They do a great job of providing information to the outdoor enthusiast."

As Carver pointed out, iPlayOutside.com is targeted to a specific audience. "We have a much broader audience. We try to cover everything from the mild to the wild, including such items as heritage tourism.

"But they certainly represent the outdoor community well."

To contact staff writer Susan Williams, use e-mail or call 348-5112.