Ken Halla is one of the better kept running secrets on the Washington running scene. A few people may remember that last year (1996) he ranked tenth in the Washington Running Report's rankings for the greater Metro area. This was based on the strength of his 31:07 Sallie Mae 10K and 51:55 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile performances. You are even less likely to know that his track PRs are 13:45 and 28:35 for the 5K and 10K, respectively. In addition to four All American titles, he was also a finalist at the 1988 Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Ken Halla's career is more a testament to drive than athletic talent. In high school, Ken never made a varsity sport other than track and cross country. Ken's father was a career diplomat and the family spent four years living in Paris, France. Moving back to the U.S. his senior year of high school, Ken started distance running and ran well enough to win a Northern Region title in the 1600 meters. However, he was not fast enough to go to the State meet in cross country.

Yet four years later, Halla was the fastest 10K collegiate runner in the nation coming from a win at the Penn Relays. He had set six William and Mary school records all of which still stand today. Ken was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame his first year of eligibility.

Long before the Enclave, Halla moved to Boston to join the Cedar Street Athletic Club. Besides Ken Halla, the group boasted two 1988 Olympians (Bruce Bickford and Pete Pfitzinger). Moreover, three other Olympians and another marathon trials qualifier made frequent visits there. Several others in the group could run less than 29:30 for the 10K or 14:00 for the 5K. The Eagles, as they called themselves, became his post collegiate team and closest friends. Unlike many Americans who seem adrift after college, Cedar Street was a daily kick in the pants. Having someone as talented as Bruce (13:13 and 27:37) was a motivating factor and Pete's expertise was like having a coach go along for the entire distance run.

During the Boston years Halla three times finished in the top ten at what was then the TAC (now USATF) meet in the 5K and 10K. "Looking back on the period, it was wonderful. I got to fly all over the country and even to Europe and was pursuing my dream."

Between runs, Ken Halla completed two master's degrees, the second in education, that led him back to his native Virginia and a teaching job at Broad Run High School. Halla has been the school's head track and cross country coach for the past five years. His cross country teams have finished as high as fourth in the state. He has also started a road race to raise money for the school's athletic department.

Ken Halla 'retired' from competition in 1992 due to a chronic back problem. "I did not want to be at less than my best and get beat by people who had the time, who could physically do the mileage I used to do, so I threw in the towel." Yet the racing bug still nagged Ken and after three years he decided not racing was worse than racing at a lower level. "I still get angry when I do not run well, but now well is relative. I am never again going to set another PR and that does not bother me."

Halla's latest race is perhaps the toughest one he has so far faced. "I have been involved politically for four years and was even the chief aide for my state senator during the General Assembly this year. I did some research and found out that 51% of Virginia's general funds are spent on education, yet only four school teachers are in the legislature. It is time we added to the number." Halla's bid for election marks a first. Never before has a track coach or a track All American made it into the State Legislature. It is not easy. "I have to raise eighty to one hundred thousand dollars and unfortunately give up coaching in the fall, but with the running community supporting me, I can give us all a voice to make some necessary changes in Virginia." Those who would like to see someone from the outside get into office should call Ken in Leesburg to volunteer for his campaign. Otherwise, look for the election returns this November. Maybe Halla has found a new type of race he can still aspire to win.