Photo above: It was a two man race the entire 5K distance. Christopher Raabe (27) of Washington, DC, led the way for Gurmessa Kumsa (27) of Oxon Hill. Kumsa had the stronger finishing kick and won in 15:00 to Raabe's 15:05. (Raabe also placed second in 2005 with a time of 15:28.)
Look for Gurmessa in the Rockville Twilighter 8K in mid-July, and the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon this September.

Young and Old Celebrate Independence
Top photo: The top female, Elena Orlova (36) of Gaithersburg, is ranked fourth in the Spring WRR Runner Rankings; she won easily in 17:41. Orlova won the 2005 California International Marathon in December (2:37:38).

Second photo: A grown up wanted 7-year-old Noah Pereles to have a blast on the Fourth, so he/she suggested that Noah run 5 kilometers (29:44). This calls for ice cream!

Third photo: Ranked runner center Katherine Sandler (64) of Bethesda, MD, placed second in her age group (26:16). Vivian Adkins right, age 36, lives nearby (26:56). Maureen Kramer (32) of Bethesda, MD, picked up the pace and finished in 23:55 with an age group award.

Running is in Their Blood
Top photo: Ranked runner Bill Sollers, age 67 of Silver Spring, MD, spared no expense and bought sparkling running gear. He placed second in his age group with 26:40.

Second photo: These four women right in photo were in contention for fourth place as they approached the one mile mark. Monica Grillo (in blue right), age 43 of Cabin John, MD, always races a fast second half and she claimed fourth in 19:54. (Monica still runs track workouts with the Potomac Runners, and avoids pushing her children into the sport.) Win Persina (shades), age 46 of Washington, DC, won her age group with a fime of 21:07. "I'm happy with my time because of the hills on the course."

Third photo: Lou Shapiro, age 64 of Silver Spring, MD, raced boldly (as usual) and finished ahead of runners half his age (21:39). "I'm never happy with my time, I want to run faster."

Running is a Rad Sport
Top photo: The race to win an age group award for those younger than 20 required some quick running. But it's good to finish, no matter how long it takes. Matt McShane right, age 42 of Olney, MD, reached the pizza slices in 31:25.

Second photo: Motocross, schmotocross. 8-year-old Christopher Bluthardt started with family but finished on his own in 24:07. He just passed Andrew Pachucki, age 20 of Derwood, MD (24:18).

Third photo: Women just wanna have fun (Cyndi Lauper). Allison Tschetter center, age 21 of Germantown, MD, and Kirsten Quigley, age 37 of Potomac, finished in 28 minutes. Relaxation was scheduled for the evening fireworks hour.

Fourth photo: Local high school student Julie Plevin in blue Whitman H.S. jersey, age 18, quickly covered the course in 22:21.

Five Kilometers is Shorter than Ten Miles

Place Div/Tot Num   Name               M/F Ag Hometown         Net T Gun T  Pace  
===== ======== ===== ===================== = == ================================= 
Top Ten Men
  1   1/34   717 Gurmessa Kumsa        M 27 Oxon Hill MD       15:00 15:00   4:50 
  2   2/34   460 Christopher Raabe     M 27 Washington DC      15:05 15:05   4:52 
  3   3/34   372 Ryan Mammen           M 29 Woodbridge VA      15:51 15:51   5:07 
  4   4/34   735 Nick Gramsky          M 28 Vienna VA          15:58 15:58   5:09 
  5   5/34   765 Erik Kean             M 29 Arlington VA       16:01 16:01   5:10 
  6   1/31   407 Trevor Middleton      M 19 New Orleans LA     16:47 16:48   5:25 
  7   1/8    721 Matthew Drake         M 22 Woodbridge VA      16:49 16:49   5:25 
  8   6/34   832 Christopher Bain      M 29 Rockville MD       17:09 17:10   5:32 
  9   2/8    777 Quentin Cassidy       M 21 Potomac MD         17:16 17:16   5:34 
 10   1/52   259 Jim Hage              M 48 Kensington MD      17:18 17:19   5:35 


Top Ten Women
  1   1/48   773 Elena Orlova          F 36 Gaithersburg MD    17:41 17:41*  5:42 
  2   1/27   118 Melinda Carlson       F 27 Washington DC      18:42 18:42   6:02 
  3   2/48   582 Christy Underdonk     F 37 Potomac MD         18:49 18:50   6:04 
  4   1/68   656 Monica Grillo         F 43 Cabin John MD      19:52 19:54   6:25 
  5   1/14   580 Emily Turner          F 24 Washington DC      20:14 20:16   6:32 
  6   1/30   481 Ulrike Robinson       F 34 Darnestown MD      20:16 20:19   6:33 
  7   2/14   495 Jennilee Russell      F 23 Woodbridge VA      20:32 20:33   6:37 
  8   1/37   758 Win Persina           F 46 Washington DC      21:06 21:07   6:48 
  9   2/68   779 Carol Kasunic         F 44 Germantown MD      21:13 21:18   6:52 
 10   1/27    71 Abby Beehler          F 15 Bethesda MD        21:40 21:40   6:59 

Fast Starters
Photo: Nick Gramsky (orange singlet), age 28 of Vienna, VA, has rarely been seen at local races since winning top local honors at the 2003 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile. Ryan Mammen (white singlet), age 29 of Woodbridge, VA, placed third in 15:51 (he finished the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon in 2:45:18 and trains with Eric Post) and Nick was fourth in 15:58. Quentin Cassidy (right), age 21 of Potomac, MD, finished ninth (17:16) and ran with a broad smile.

See Results for the Cure Autism Now 5K and other events.

See the Cure Autism Now Web site.