Start of last year's race
The 22nd annual Sallie Mae 10K, sponsored by the Sallie Mae Fund, will take place on Sunday, April 17, 2005 in West Potomac Park, Washington, DC at 8:00 a.m. The event benefits The District of Columbia College Access Program (DC-CAP), a non- profit organization that helps local high school students to enter and graduate from college. DC-CAP, in partnership with the District of Columbia Public School system, provides counseling and financial assistance to students who might otherwise never have the opportunity to go to college.

Registrations are being accepted on-line at www.thesalliemaefund.org/10K. Late registration fee is $30.00. The fee for those under the age of 18 and college students (copy of ID required) is $12. The Family Fun 2K Walk/Run is $10.00.

The late registration and packet pick up:

Friday, April 15th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., at Northwest Sport & Health Club, 4001 Brandywine Street., NW, Washington, DC 20016 (Located near Tenleytown-AU metro stop).

Saturday, April 16th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Regency Sport & Health Club, 1800 Old Meadow Road, McLean, VA 22102. (Take 495 to Route 123 towards McLean; turn right at the first light onto Old Meadow Road).

Sunday, April 17th from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. PACKET PICK-UP ONLY Race site: West Potomac Park, Washington, DC

The Sallie Mae 10K continues a 22-year tradition of quality racing with a national and international flair. It is the most competitive 10K in Washington, DC.

Is he getting an interview?
In the photo left, racing legend and star writer Jim Hage gives way to 2nd place women Atalelech Ketema at last year's race. Hage won his age group (45-49) at Cherry Blossom this year in 55:27.

In 1986, Scot Celley set the slowest winning time with 31:03. There has been seventeen winning times under thirty minutes with the event record being 27:43 (1997) raced by Tom Kyariki of Kenya, the only person to go under 28 minutes.

In 1985, Anita Freres set the slowest winning time for the women with 39:19. There have been fourteen winning times between 32:00 and 34:00 minutes with the event record being 32:00 (1991) raced by Jill Hunter of England. There has been two times posted at 32:05, in 1993 by Gladys Odeyo and in 1996 by Catherine Nderba. Both are from Kenya.

The last local overall winners were Chris Fox in 1995 (28:34) then of Hagerstown, MD and Rosalind Taylor in 1990 then of Hyattsville, MD.

In 1985, Fred Gedrich set the slowest winning master's time with 36:46. There have been twelve times under thirty-one minutes with the event record being 29:33 raced by Pierre Levisse of France. The second fastest time has been 29:57 (2000) by Andrew Masai of Kenya.

In 1985, Doralie Segal set the slowest winning master's time for women with 46:37. Note she was more than fifty at the time. There have been eight times under thirty-six minutes with the event record being 33:12 by Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova of Russia. The second fastest time has been 33:47 (1996) by Tatiana Pozdnyakova. These are the only two times under thirty-five minutes.

Last year's masters winner (in red) Lee DiPietro of Ruxton, MD ran 36:38
Prize money was introduced 1989 and the fastest American male has been 28:33 by Pat Porter (1994) and for the females 32:24 (1992) by Janis Klecker.

NEW this year, the prize structure offers a wider distribution throughout the field of runners. The local category and residency requirements have been eliminated.

Cash Awards: Total Purse $13, 600 All-Comers (Top 10 finishers) Open (M/F) $500-$450-$400-$350-$300-$250-$200-$150-$100-$50 Bonus $250 - Male under 27:43, Female under 32:00 Master (M/F) $500-$450-$400-$350-$300-$250-$200-$150-$100-$50

Wheelchair (M/F) $200-$100-$50

1st Place Age Group (M/F) $50 5-Year Age Groups 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80- 84, 85-89.

There will be non-cash awards to the top age group finishers. Team awards will be given to the top all-male, all- female and mixed teams.

Intercollegiate Team Competition - School Donation has been eliminated. Merchandise awards to the first place team.

Top Individuals on the Intercollegiate Teams Open (M/F), Master (M/F) 1st Place $100, 2nd $50 Permitted to participate in the overall prize money (double dipping).

The Sallie Mae Fund is a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae
The Fund achieves its mission-to increase access to a post- secondary education for America's children-by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can.

To VOLUNTEER for the 10K event call 703-533-4849. All volunteers will receive a Sallie Mae 10K staff T-shirt.

Full details and on-line registration is available at www.thesalliemaefund.org/10K. The race hotline is 703-533-4849.