As runners lined up for the start, the defending champion, Anthony Belber, took his place on the front row. At 8:00 am, after a minute of silence in remembrance of the tragedy and victims of September 11, the 8K runners were off in a blur of frenzied motion. The downhill start gave runners a boost before they hit the hills in the rolling neighborhoods of Somerset.

Early in the race, the course makes a loop past the school, and the assembled crowd of 2K runners formed a block-long gauntlet of cheering kids, their Moms and Dads, and teachers, as they waited for their turn on the starting line.

At the first mile, a pack of three, including Belber (28) of Washington, DC, and Jim Hage (43) of Seabrook, MD (photo above) cruised along in the lead, talking and smiling. The race turned serious, however, as Hage charged into the finish chutes all alone in 26:39. Belber was almost a minute behind, but he too had a comfortable margin over third-place Carlos Maldonado (24) of Oxon Hill, MD (27:24 to 27:45). Michael Sheehy (29) of Chevy Chase (photo left) placed fourth in 28 minutes flat on his home course.

In the women's race, Washington, DC's Meg Busse (24) outran the competition and cruised across the line in 31:50. Second-place finisher Lisa Reichmann was a minute and a half behind in 33:34, and Sara Buckheit (41) of Reston, VA, claimed third with 34:40. Antonia Farrell (40) of Chevy Chase ran 35:42 for fourth.

The 323 finishers in the 8K were outnumbered by the enthusiastic runners in the 2K. Many of the elementary school students ran the distance, many with their parents. Fun runs for the little kids were held in the school yard as runners and spectators enjoyed bagels, muffins, snow cones, birthday cake, juice, and DrinkMore Water while awaiting the awards ceremony. Random prizes were plentiful, and everyone left with a smile on their faces.

For full race results, see the Washington Running Report Results section.