Winds blows the balloon arch off in the same direction as the runners just getting underway.

This third year race is a continued delight. The numbers swelled up more than 150% with just short of 700 in the 5K. The fun run started out in the opposite direction, combining with the 5K to have 1226 participants. Arcola Elementary School had 253 by itself to lead all schools. In terms of directions the course was designed to go west first but the event wisely decided to reverse direction. The course has a few turns but is mostly flat and the cool fall weather made for some fast times. The final half mile is all downhill sweeping back across the finishing mats, utilizing the ChronoTrack disposable D-tags for the first time at this event. Racers were grateful for the final downturn because the gusty winds that had pushed them earlier on were dead on in their faces for the final turn for home.

Later as the bright colored racers headed for home, the field still looked packed.

Nineteen-year-old Ezkyas Sisay of Burke, VA is a former Runner Ranking Champion. He turns 20 in November and was certainly a favorite. Abiyot Abebe (25) of Washington, DC is always near the top. Indeed, he took the runner-up spot in the Elite Division for the Summer Runner Rankings. In all, the magnificent seven at the top were all in contention for most of the race. Abebe pulled away at the finish and is credited with a 15:17 win; Sisay four seconds behind him. Neither runner wore their D-tags so computer generated time was not possible. Third place Steve Mance blazed home in 15:26 to join the top three and take home some cash.

Guy Alton (24) came all the way from Richmond to beat fifth place Ray Pugsley (39) of Potomac Falls, VA 15:39 to 15:50. At the start, Ray's wife Cathy was urging her mild mannered spouse to assert himself and stand at the very front of the starting line. He demurred, knowing full well he would soon dart past his competition. Sixth place Chris Sheaffer of Purcellville, VA has a runner-up spot and an overall win in 16:02 at the 5K in September. That or today's 16:12 would still have kept him in sixth place. Seventh place David Miller had some swift 5Ks in September and just last week had won the Boo! Run for Life 10K outright in 33:26.

The age groups included four different sub 20-year-old divisions. At the start, one young lad was barking that some of the very young racers were placing themselves to close to the front. "I plan to break 18:00," he said fearing they might cost him a second or two. Not to worry, the first 100 meters do not decide your race. Still, runners packed in close waiting for the vaunted G - O word.

Some of the fast runners were tiny young women who exploded out as the race started. Phebe Ko (25) of Baltimore, MD controlled the pace, winning in 17:33. She could never let up, as Barbara Fallon Wallace (34) of Alexandria, VA kept it close in 17:59. Third place Erica Nemmers (36) of Oak Hill, VA was also under last year's winning time with 18:11. That was just a gentle reminder for Wallace that the submasters division would be offering her plenty of competition next year. To help stamp paid to that, the next three runners were all right on her heels and between 35 and 39. Maureen Ackerly is one of the top dogs from Richmond high stepping in just three seconds later in 18:14. Cathern Fenseter of Bethesda, MD could almost reach them both in 18:18. Sixth place Cathy Pusgley nearly always takes home hardware. It shows how tough the field is when she is the fourth submaster while finishing sixth overall. She and Ackerly will continue their "discussion" as masters.

Though the awards were done in five-year age groups, some of the swifter masters division runners were long on the tooth. Terry McLaughlin (48) of Spotsylvania, VA easily was the top master. Rob Davies (52) of Stephens City, VA was next in 18:38. Steve Robinson (53) of Oak Hill, VA continues to lower his times, dropping in at 19:11. For the women, Monique Rico (40) of Aldie, VA (in photo) led the masters across the mats, finishing in 20:55 just behind the top senior runner (over 60), Michael Wesbecher of Oakton, VA. Still, she was not fastest in net time as Lisa Muehlheim (46) of Vienna, VA who started nearly 90 seconds late officially ran 20:21. The next two women came from the 45-49 division, Sarah Buckheit (48) of Reston, VA crossed the line first with a gun time of 23:28. Barbara Robinson (47) of Aldie, VA won that division with a ChronoTrack net time of 23:12.

After the race, runners were still gorging on muffins, Krispy Kreme donuts, and bagels while downing hot coffee, PowerAde, and bottled water, as the awards begun. They waited because with three deep in five-year age groups many, many runners walked away with something tangible to remember their race. They also had quite a few random prizes. This race is inexpensive to enter, with lots of awards, great food, a fast course, easy to get to, and tons of parking. No wonder it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Come out for the fourth year of the race next October.

Eric Fuller (10) of Aldie, VA was one of the top runners in a huge children's field.

Dave Keaton (48) of Rockville, MD has come back out of hiding to post a solid 20:11 for second in his division.

Awards

FEMALE OVERALL
Place Num   Name                   Ag City                  Gun T Net T Pace  
===== ===== ====================== == ===================== ===== ===== ===== 
    1  1521 Phebe Ko               25 Baltimore MD          17:33 17:33  5:39 
    2  1506 Barbara Fallon-Wallace 34 Alexandria VA         17:59 17:59  5:48 
    3  1504 Erica Nemmers          36 Oak Hill VA           18:11 18:10  5:51 
MALE OVERALL
Place Num   Name                   Ag City                  Gun T Net T Pace  
===== ===== ====================== == ===================== ===== ===== ===== 
    1  1649 Abiyot Abebe           25 Washington DC         15:17 15:17  4:56 
    2  1513 Ezkyas Sisay           19 Burke VA              15:21 15:20  4:57 
    3  1614 Steven Mance           24 Alexandria VA         15:26 15:26  4:58 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  1 - 9  (NET TIME)
    1   897 Kylie Smith             9 South Riding VA       27:08 26:57  8:41 
    2  1556 Evelyn Robinson         9 Aldie VA              28:44 28:21  9:08 
    3   987 Sarah Rackoski          7 Chantilly VA          29:18 29:11  9:24 
MALE AGE GROUP:  1 - 9  (NET TIME)
    1  1553 Grant Robinson          7 Aldie VA              21:49 20:27  6:35 
    2  1475 Noah Howell             9 South Riding VA       26:39 25:44  8:17 
    3  1508 Justin Sugatan          9 Aldie VA              27:08 26:46  8:37 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  10 - 11  (NET TIME)
    1  1333 Julie Cumins           10 Aldie VA              23:54 23:42  7:38 
    2  1578 Meaghan Byrne          10 South Riding VA       29:30 29:05  9:22 
    3  1352 Jessica Lyman          11 South Riding VA       30:50 30:16  9:45 
MALE AGE GROUP:  10 - 11  (NET TIME)
    1  1405 Eric Fuller            10 Aldie VA              21:19 20:37  6:38 
    2  1270 Stephen Rambo          10 Aldie VA              21:34 21:32  6:56 
    3  1559 Devyn Kreb             10 Aldie VA              21:41 21:36  6:57 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  12 - 14  (NET TIME)
    1   935 Siobhan Otoole         13 South Riding VA       23:34 23:24  7:32 
    2  1156 Alexis Chaet           14 Chantilly VA          24:14 24:06  7:46 
    3  1298 Megan Zagrodniczek     14 South Riding VA       24:57 24:48  7:59 
MALE AGE GROUP:  12 - 14  (NET TIME)
    1   949 Thorpe Lichtenberg     14 South Riding VA       17:29 17:27  5:37 
    2  1558 Christian Reusche      14 South Riding VA       18:49 18:47  6:03 
    3  1371 Peter Stephens         13 Aldie VA              22:22 22:01  7:06 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  15 - 19  (NET TIME)
    1   999 Rachel Moffitt         15 Stone Ridge VA        20:51 20:48  6:42 
    2  1399 Victoria Boone         15 South Riding VA       21:46 21:44  7:00 
    3  1261 Ashley Brady           15 Stone Ridge VA        23:13 21:54  7:03 
MALE AGE GROUP:  15 - 19  (NET TIME)
    1  1349 Rennix Offutt          16 Potomac Falls VA      17:21 17:20  5:35 
    2  1552 Dustin Coakley         15 Chantilly VA          18:08 18:07  5:50 
    3  1395 Michael Surowiec       16 South Riding VA       18:19 18:18  5:54 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 24  (NET TIME)
    1  1455 Amy Franklin           23 Leesburg VA           21:45 21:35  6:57 
    2  1530 Kristen Gochnauer      24 Purcellville VA       23:33 23:18  7:30 
    3  1312 Arian Brandt           22 Purcellville VA       25:24 25:09  8:06 
MALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 24  (NET TIME)
    1  1322 Guy Alton              24 Richmond VA           15:39 15:39  5:02 
    2  1532 Chris Sheaffer         24 Purcellville VA       16:12 16:12  5:13 
    3  1534 Trevor Caskey          23 Leesburg VA           20:01 19:55  6:25 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  25 - 29  (NET TIME)
    1  1548 Ashley Flick           27 South Riding VA       19:44 19:43  6:21 
    2  1337 Rachel Barger          27 South Riding VA       22:58 22:13  7:09 
    3   937 Kathleen Rudd          28 Haymarket VA          24:36 24:03  7:45 
MALE AGE GROUP:  25 - 29  (NET TIME)
    1  1214 David Miller           25 Leesburg VA           16:19 16:18  5:15 
    2  1045 Adam Borbidge          29 South Riding VA       17:55 17:54  5:46 
    3  1503 Doug Windland          29 Woodbridge VA         18:22 18:16  5:53 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 34  (NET TIME)
    1  1512 Michelle Cunningham    33 Centerville VA        18:50 18:50  6:04 
    2  1201 Pamela Cibula          32 Gaithersburg MD       21:16 21:12  6:50 
    3   848 Lisa Rini              32 Aldie VA              21:52 21:44  7:00 
MALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 34  (NET TIME)
    1  1343 Greg Stemberger        31 Stone Ridge VA        18:16 16:57  5:28 
    2  1225 Brad Wedemeyer         32 Ashburn VA            18:19 18:16  5:53 
    3   948 Kyle McAtee            31 Chantilly VA          20:01 19:39  6:20 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  35 - 39  (NET TIME)
    1  1430 Maureen Ackerly        39 Richmond VA           18:14 18:13  5:52 
    2  1517 Cathern Fenseter       37 Bethesda MD           18:18 18:17  5:54 
    3  1240 Cathy Pugsley          39 Potomac Falls VA      18:36 18:36  6:00 
MALE AGE GROUP:  35 - 39  (NET TIME)
    1  1213 Ray Pugsley            39 Potomac Falls VA      15:50 15:50  5:06 
    2   988 Rick Palmeri           38 Stone Ridge VA        18:23 18:21  5:55 
    3  1468 Rob Meadows            37 Leesburg VA           18:49 18:48  6:03 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 44  (NET TIME)
    1   960 Monique Rico           40 Aldie VA              20:55 20:52  6:43 
    2  1327 Coleen Prenda          40 The Plains VA         24:12 23:40  7:37 
    3  1410 Susan Grimes           40 South Riding VA       24:26 24:01  7:44 
MALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 44  (NET TIME)
    1  1594 Rob Schlegel           41 Clifton VA            19:25 19:24  6:15 
    2   932 Michael Marsh          43 Leesburg VA           19:56 19:55  6:25 
    3  1175 Thomas Scanlon         41 South Riding VA       20:13 20:10  6:30 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  45 - 49  (NET TIME)
    1  1050 Lisa Muehlheim         46 Vienna VA             21:38 20:21  6:33 
    2  1555 Barbara Robinson       47 Aldie VA              23:34 23:12  7:28 
    3  1568 Sarah Buckheit         48 Reston VA             23:31 23:28  7:34 
MALE AGE GROUP:  45 - 49  (NET TIME)
    1  1177 Terry McLaughlin       48 Spotsylvania VA       18:00 17:59  5:48 
    2  1572 David Keaton           48 Rockville MD          20:11 20:10  6:30 
    3  1228 David Haber            45 Leesburg VA           20:18 20:14  6:31 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 54  (NET TIME)
    1  1079 Leslie Kash            52 Round Hill VA         25:59 25:56  8:21 
    2   839 Cheryl Collins         50 Stone Ridge VA        26:20 26:10  8:25 
    3   884 Kathleen Lutman        53 Lovettsville VA       27:27 27:15  8:47 
MALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 54  (NET TIME)
    1  1573 Rob Davies             52 Stephen's City VA     18:38 18:38  6:00 
    2  1575 Steve Robinson         53 Oak Hill VA           19:11 19:11  6:11 
    3  1121 Michael Cannon         50 Springfield VA        19:51 19:50  6:23 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  55 - 59  (NET TIME)
    1  1158 Eva Hillard            55 Aldie VA              30:04 29:40  9:33 
    2   832 Susan Sweatt           57 Chantilly VA          30:46 30:22  9:47 
    3  1445 Kathy Ferguson         55 Oakton VA             45:54 44:48 14:25 
MALE AGE GROUP:  55 - 59  (NET TIME)
    1  1277 James Moreland         56 Gaithersburg MD       20:33 20:33  6:37 
    2   891 Allen Vaughan          58 Stafford VA           20:45 20:44  6:41 
    3  1095 Mike Zias              59 Shinglehouse PA       26:01 25:21  8:10 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 64  (NET TIME)
    1  1563 Punkin Lee             62 Middleburg VA         27:31 27:16  8:47 
    2  1543 Dixie Ward             60 South Riding VA       38:25 37:15 12:00 
MALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 64  (NET TIME)
    1  1264 Michael Wesbecher      60 Oakton VA             20:36 20:34  6:37 
    2   810 Richard Wiley          64 Centreville VA        26:58 26:05  8:24 
    3  1107 Paul Niemeyer Jr       63 Aldie VA              36:48 35:19 11:22 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  65 - 99  (NET TIME)
    1  1579 Jeanette Chambers      73 Arnold MD             35:51 35:47 11:31 
    2  1540 Villaflor Orlino       68 South Riding VA       48:53 48:49 15:43 
MALE AGE GROUP:  65 - 99  (NET TIME)
    1  1495 Maynard Weyers         72 Alexandria VA         23:49 23:46  7:39 
    2  1580 John Chambers          73 Arnold MD             35:52 35:47 11:31 
    3  1283 John Hendry            68 Ashburn VA            37:48 36:45 11:50 
MALE FIRST TIME RACER: NET TIME - NET PACE 1 - 99
    1  1349 Rennix Offutt          16 M Potomac Falls VA      17:21 17:20  5:35 
FEMALE FIRST TIME RACER: NET TIME - NET PACE 1 - 99
    1   848 Lisa Rini              32 F Aldie VA              21:52 21:44  7:00 

Michael Wesbecher (60) of Oakton, VA scorched his division with 20:36 in stalking range of beating the 55-59 winner.

Full Race Day Results
Event Records