The first week of August in the Washington area is always the hottest and most humid, the Dogs Days of summer. Naturally, you would expect to see only Mad Dogs and Englishman outside with the nasty weather. The club's resident Englishman, Mark Hoon, once again led the way. He had easily won by nearly two minutes last year. While we chattered, he calmly waited for the signal to take off and defend his title.

From its beginnings as a 20K race, and its placement around the racing calendar, the Riley's Rumble has grown to accommodate the demand from hundreds of runners for a half-marathon distance race. Fern Greenwell (photo, left) came from Washington, DC to run.

In 2001, the course moved to Poolesville even though some of the middle of the course was the same. Fog hid the way for the first hour of the start. Humidity was 200%. This year we all joked about the weather. The night before we had experienced thunderstorms with hail, those big chunks of ice rat-a-tat- tatting on the roof. Would it cool down the race day? The course starts pleasantly enough in front of Poolesville High School, running down shaded Hughes Lane for more than three miles. Still, our hearts were gladdened to see water stops twice before turning up the Sugarland Road roller coaster out into the bright sunshine.

Race Director Bill Riggs sent us on our way and Mark Hoon (76:43) surged off to an easy lead he would never lose. Steve Jaeger (79:53) (photo, left) stayed a few meters back but we could see who was running easy and who was pressing as they scooted away. Soon to be fifty, new member David Webster led the first pack, stalked by last year's runner-up Ted Poulos (80:51). Poulos, now forty, looked relaxed but he was already formulating his plan, should he push to catch the two leaders or settle with the second pack and earn the bronze? As others brushed by, it was clear that not everybody knew how fast to push in this heat. Marathon in the Parks Assistant Director Art Drisko decided to join the growing pack. After a sub-6:00 first mile, a pack of ten reached the water stop. Paul Peterson, known for his moderate starts, surged up to the group and helped push the pace. By the second water stop, Hoon was a memory and the pack was a tiny mirage. Runner after runner rushed by offering a friendly sounding greeting that really meant, "See ya!"

Last year women's winner was Gretchen Triantos. She won easily in 90:15, almost four minutes in front of second place. This year would not be a repeat. Just past five miles we heard chatter from the club's leprechaun, Denis McDonald, as he seemed to fly down the hills. In his wake was Marjan Huizing (86:39), also a professional triathlete. She was moving well and he would need to stop telling jokes to keep up. Right behind them was the second woman, Desiree Ficker. Triantos was in the next pack of five that was running a few steps behind her husband Vassili. Team Triantos looked relaxed as they moved steadily up the hills leading to the final three miles. Ficker would fall victim to the heat and do the finisher shuffle so often seen in marathons and settle for ninth place. Triantos (90:20) would move up to silver just off last year's time. The Grillo sisters ,Monica (91:50) and Jeanne (92:01), took the next two places.

Walt Washburn, two months away from his 80th birthday, was easily in the top half, finishing in 2:09:27

Probably the best part of this challenging race is the out and back aspect. It was so encouraging to hear all the runners cheer for each other as they passed one another. The water stops were well manned with volunteers eager to refresh the runners. There were three tables for free massages after the race and lines quickly formed for this valuable service.

Once again the Montgomery County Road Runners, Race Director Bill Riggs, and the scores of volunteers provided the community with a well-run, safe road race.

See complete results of the race and additional photos.