A woman who emigrated from a country where women "did not sweat" nor "show their legs" and a California, MD native who was seriously broadsided in a bicycle/auto accident were among the winners of Pacers Running Stores and New Balance's annual "Break Your PR Challenge" contest that were announced today.

The contest is a prelude to the upcoming George Washington Parkway Classic, one of the most picturesque ten-mile races in the area. The contest reviewed the best essays by expected entrants in the annual ten-mile, point-to-point, who challenge themselves to set a new personal record. The race starts on the grounds of Mount Vernon and ends along the Potomac River in Old Town, Alexandria, VA.

The winners of this contest are (in alphabetical order):

Rhea Borja          Arlington, VA
Michael Flynn       California, MD
James Halabuk       Alexandria, VA
Alison Hall         Alexandria, VA 
Erin Moore          Alexandria, VA 
Danielle Newman     Alexandria, VA
Mary Beth Ramey     Chester, VA
Scott Reynolds      Alexandria, VA 
Cheryl Young        Reston, VA

Contestants were asked to submit personal essays about how running has shaped their lives and how the upcoming race will play into goals. Although Pacers and New Balance initially looked for five runners, they chose nine, all who will be awarded a prize package from Pacers and New Balance.

"We have always believed that behind every pair of shoes is a story waiting to be told, and this annual essay contest is our way to bring real legs to these stories," said Kathy Dalby, of Pacers Running Stores and the George Washington Parkway Classic.

A synopsis of each winning story can be found below:

Rhea Borja, as a child, was discouraged from playing sports and learned to play piano instead. Her family emigrated from the Philippines to the U.S. when she was a small child. "In the old country, girls did not play sports . . . in the old country, girls did not sweat," Rhea wrote. "They did not show their legs. They did not try to compete with boys. And they certainly did not run." Two years ago she began to run -- a summer afternoon after work. Since then, Rhea has been hooked and has competed in several 10-milers, completed a marathon after a badly gashed knee during the first half-mile, and even won the approval of her grandmother. (PR 1:31:06)

Michael Flynn began training for triathlons to improve his fitness in 1992 at 30 years of age. Just as he was peaking in his training for an Ironman competition and a marathon in 2004, Michael was bicycling when a vehicle broadsided him. He sustained a compound fibula and tibia break, followed by a major bone infection. He wrote that he is " . . . thankful for every time I am able to get out and run to feel the breeze and appreciate all that my wife, family, friends, nurses, and doctors have done for the past two years." Michael added, "I haven't run ten miles in more than two (years) or ever done the GW Classic but have been training and looking forward to the challenge and to beat my PR." (PR 1:38:36)

James Halabuk described himself as a latecomer to running and initially 100 pounds overweight. But in the past year, he missed only three days of running, averaging between seven and eight miles a day. James views running as a relief from stress, and added that his family finds him more fun to be around now that he is a happier person. "People ask me all the time how I lost the weight and which diet I followed," James wrote. "The only truthful answer I can give is that running gave me a new life. I am happier and healthier than I have ever been, and I share my love of exercise, especially running, with everyone I can." (PR 1:32:00)

Alison Hall began running with a jogger stroller as a way of dealing with the stress of being a new parent. Since then, she has become a certified group exercise instructor, won her age group in small races, and developed friendships with other female runners. "I can't imagine life without running," Allison wrote. "It's my time to reflect on the past, focus on the future, or catch up with friends. I hope I can pass on my joy of running to my two daughters, and I look forward to the day we can all run together." (PR 1:32:00)

Erin Moore grew up in a family of runners and started running 22 years ago when she was in fifth grade. "I work a lot with kids and running keeps me on an even keel. It lets me know my world encompasses more than my work," she wrote. Danielle shared a funny story of a continuing run-in with an angry dog while running in her former home of Alabama. "We live far from that rural Alabama road now, but those encounters with the Devil's little minion continue to inspire my husband and I to do speed work two to three times a week. This keeps us sharp should we ever encounter another saber-toothed cannonball." (PR 1:05:34)

Danielle Newman began to run in 2005 while her insecurities were rampant. "I was too fat. I was too slow. I couldn't run far enough," she wrote. "But none of them was more hilariously motivating than knowing that a guy who juggles while he runs beat me every time I ran against him for more than a year." She added, "With the help of running, my insecurities have eased in the last two years and I'm a happier and healthier person." And, most important of all, she finally beat the juggler in two races last year. While his chip time, has always been slightly faster, Danielle hopes to beat him on both this spring. (PR: 1:48:38)

Mary Beth Ramey, a seventh grader, is excited to attempt her first ever 10-mile race. She received the coach's award for last fall's cross-country season and is running with an intramural running club while waiting for track season to begin. She wrote, "Running has gotten me so far in life, (and) I know it can take me even farther. I could run from place to place without ever needing a car. I could be famous, but most of all, I could set a record and then break it every time I set foot on a track!" Mary Beth will be accompanied at the race by Jenn Brown, executive director of the Northern Virginia chapter of Girls on the Run, a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. For more information, visit www.girlsontherunofnova.org .

Scott Reynolds comes to running from a different place. "Goals are not my motivation," he wrote. "Losing weight is not my goal. Feeling stronger and fitter is not my goal. Setting (a) PR's is not my goal. Intentionally not having a goal is not my goal." For the GW Parkway Classic, Scott's goal is finish in time to catch the boat his father-in-law has chartered to celebrate his 80th birthday on the same the morning of the race. Scott wrote that it ". . . is supposed to be about how running shapes my life. Well, sometimes, life shapes your running." When his wife asks why he will run the risk of missing the boat and having her family furious at him forever, Scott admitted arguing with logic is hard. "Still," he wrote, "I run." (PR 1:26:12)

Cheryl Young has short tendons in her legs, and thus walked on her "tip toes." As an infant, she required leg braces and underwent several surgeries, and was advised not to participate in athletics or gym classes. Her father, however, helped her warm her muscles and stretch her tendons by running with her as a child. Since then, she has increased her runs to 40 miles a week and to participate in marathons. "Doctors tell me how well I've compensated for the way I walk and that the best thing I can do is keep exercising, as it helps keep my weight down and my muscles strong," Cheryl wrote. "I can honestly say, running has completely changed my life for the best." (PR: 1:14:55)

The winners of the challenge will:

Have free entries to the 2007 George Washington Parkway Classic 10 miler

* Receive a personal training program for the 10 mile race from Pacers Head Coach and former NCAA All-American George Buckheit;

* Be outfitted in Pacers/New Balance gear for the race and identified as a PR challenger on course; and

* If he or she breaks his PR, he or she will receive: A year's worth of free New Balance shoes (two pairs); George Washington Parkway Classic commemorative jacket; and the satisfaction of publicly breaking his/her PR.

All of the above essay entries are available in full on the George Washington Parkway Classic Web site

About the George Washington Parkway Classic

The George Washington Parkway Classic consists of a 10-mile and 5K run beginning at historic Mount Vernon Estate and Belle Haven Park, respectively. The only race in the area with permission to run down south George Washington Parkway, this event showcases the beauty of the parkway and historic Old Town, Alexandria, VA. Since the inaugural run in 1984, the event has supported various charities with its current beneficiary the Olympic Chapter (Alexandria) of the Boys & Girls Club. To date, the George Washington Parkway has raised hundred of thousands of dollars for Alexandria charities.

About Pacers Running Stores

Founded in 1991, Pacers is a running institution in Northern Virginia and has evolved into the premier running specialty stores in the Mid-Atlantic. Proud to be family-owned and operated, Pacers is the store of choice for runners and walkers in the metro Washington DC area and beyond. Pacers is located in Old Town, Alexandria and in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. Pacers has been a sponsor of the George Washington Parkway Classic since its inception.

About New Balance

New Balance began as a Boston-based arch-support company in the early 1900's, developed into a specialized shoe manufacturer in the 1970's, and has grown to become a leading international sports apparel company. New Balance has been a long time supporter of the George Washington Parkway Classic.