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Star Kid 8K 2008
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Star Kid 8K Run/Walk
Double Take on the New Course
By James Moreland
November 1, 2008
Fairfax, VA
For the Washington Running Report
In the start photo above, the first time was not the charm.
The photographers were all lined up to snap shots of the start of the third annual race. Runners knew generally that it was a two loop course circling the campus of George Mason University, mostly on Patriot's Circle. Still, the course was a new one with the certified map arriving just this week. With $2,000 in cash for the top three men and women, there was a solid chance for a new event record. Gurmessa Megerssa ran 24:06 last year and Alemgena Desta ran 27:26 in 2006. Note that is an event record. The course is the same length and nearly all the same roads are the same.
So as Joe Rubenstein yelled out his memorable 'GO,' runners jackrabbited up the slight incline and scurried right at the very first street, a mere fifty meters later. Not so fast, the correct turn was on University Drive, the next street up about another hundred meters. Somebody shouted out and the lead runners, like deer caught in headlights, swerved into the parking lot looking for the quickest way back to the road. Yechs! Just like at the pony penning on Chincoteague Island, the lead pack was locked into that lot with fences all around. Just as they were circling around looking for an opening, Dr Thompson, the race director, wisely called everyone back to the start line.
The runners made an orderly shuffle back in to the starting corral. Now they were all warmed up. In very short order the mats (start timing equipment) were recalibrated and runners prepared for their second voyage into the unknown. Savvy Ray Pugsley of Potomac River Running boldly took the point early as runners raced off around the school. The first two years runners had journeyed through the 1 mile neighborhood loop on the first time around. This time the first mile went downhill big time for the entire mile. Pugsley claims he does not like to down hills because they hurt his back. Maybe that is why he runs them so fast, to get it over with.
He knew he was out of the top three cash prizes early but the 39-year-old hung with fourth place Guy Alton (24) of Richmond, VA before succumbing in the final meters 26:06 to 26:13. Still, he took down the former age group record by nearly a minute. He also schooled masters winner Morris Bodrill (41) of Fort Lee, VA on what to expect next year. Though Bodrill ran a very solid 28:58, he was well off the masters record of 27:14 set by an inspired Ian Clements in 2006. Indeed two-time masters winner Alisa Harvey had run a 27:42 in 2006.
Cary Chaffee (24) also of Richmond, VA (in photo) came up to take on the big dogs and ran a sweet 25:18 for third place money. Local top dog Abiyot Abebe (22) of Silver spring, MD had to be the favorite as runner-up in the Summer Rankings but an unknown Abraham Nuetich (27) of New Rochelle, NY stuck with him like glue. Often the Africans runners seem to playfully glide along in a pack until the final few meters. Then one of them bursts ahead. Today, Abebe (on the right in photo below) sort of weaved to the side and Nuetich broke the tape a millisecond ahead of him in an identical 24:19 as seen in the photo left. Abebe did set a new age group record.
In 2006 Megerssa won a tactical final sprint in 25:13. Then last year he brushed everyone aside to set the record in 24:06 while talented teen Ezkyas Sisay won a photo finish 24:33 for runner-up against 20-year-old Solomon Semunguse.
Alemgena Desta (27) of Silver Spring, MD has to be injured. That sounds crazy as she ran an excellent 29:18 for third place. However, last year she was the runner-up in a contentious battle of four women, all faster than 28:00. She ran 27:38 to hold off third place Hirut Mengistu's 27:48. This year Mengistu stayed steady at 27:54 for the runner-up spot. To complete the three place set, Desta won it all setting the course record in 27:26 in 2006. This year's winner, Salome Kosgei (28) of Hudson Manor, NY came close to the record, flying home in 27:35. Three weeks ago in New York, she had dominated in a 16:44 5K win.
Fourth place Laura Niel (44) of Annandale, VA ran all alone for the masters title. Hardworking Dawn Sell (26) of Fairfax, VA (in photo) was starting to run out of steam climbing the final hill to the finish but she knew she had locked in a third year as the top Inova employee and earned the $125 prize. Joseph Wiley (30) of Alexandria, VA was not far behind in 34:49 for the top male Inova employee.
The grandmasters really rocked this time. First, Gary Grimsley (54) of Springfield, VA ran a shirtless race, like Moeser of yore, claiming it would save him a few seconds, which he needed. His 30:40 just did eclipse Chris Turner's 30:48 from two years ago. Grimsley warns all those old guys (55-59) that he is coming soon to a division near you. Last year Paul Bousel (55) of Alexandria, VA handily rode his way to the winner's circle in the 50-54 division. This year he enjoyed another easy win ahead of last year's winner James Moreland. Bousel slowed a mere six seconds to 32:55 and the new age group record. Moreland, (in photo) racing for Capital Running Company, improved from 35:58 to 34:30 to earn second in the division.
Jim Noone had run an excellent time of 32:34 in 2006 at age 62. Always a threat to win his division, Jason Page (63) of Hamilton, VA ran a very solid race to snatch the record in 32:30. For the women, only two records were broken. Tenth place Lucille Lloyd (54) of Stafford, VA ran a ferocious 37:09, while Ruth Mann (55) set the new standard in her division with 39:01. For Lloyd, it was her first race and she was the fastest first time racer.
While the awards were being tabulated, there was a ton of random prizes being handed out. Runners did not need their tear-off tags to score the race as the ChronoTrack disposable D-tag attached to their shoes scored their race. So the tear off-tag was used for the raffles, one for adults and one for children. Many of the runners were still busy at the refreshment area, downing coffee, Gatorade, and bottle water with their bagels, bananas, and a large assortment of Nutri Grain cereal bars. After the cash went out to the top dogs, the top two in five year age groups were awarded the ever popular gift certificates to Glory Days Restaurant.
The 8K Run/Walk was accompanied by a family fun run. This 1.7 mile loop around Patriot's Circle had nearly 200 participants with a special low price for children 12 and younger. The autumn weather was runner brisk for perfect running conditions, and even improved after the race for a glorious weekend adventure out of doors.
Awards
OVERALL MALE (GUN TIME)
Place Num Name Age City Time
===== ===== ========================== === ===================== =======
1 1419 Abraham Nuetich 27 New Rochelle NY 24:23
2 1245 Abiyot Abebe 22 Silver Spring MD 24:23
3 1177 Cary Chaffee 24 Richmond VA 25:18OVERALL FEMALE (GUN TIME)
Place Num Name Age City Time
===== ===== ========================== === ===================== =======
1 1404 Salome Kosgei 28 Hudson Manor NY 27:35
2 1244 Hirut Mandefro 23 Silver Spring MD 27:54
3 1430 Alemgna Desta 27 Silver Spring MD 29:18MALE AGE GROUP: 1 - 14 (NET TIME)
1 1078 Jeffrey Stocker 13 Stafford VA 38:43
2 1163 Seth Hein 13 Fairfax VA 42:06FEMALE AGE GROUP: 1 - 14 (NET TIME)
1 1100 Alejandra Benavides 12 Springfield VA 41:55
2 1089 Kayla Minesinger 9 Fairfax VA 49:30MALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 19 (NET TIME)
1 1190 Christopher Jones 18 Springfield VA 32:21
2 1435 Brian Jones 16 Springfield VA 32:32FEMALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 19 (NET TIME)
1 1263 Nadia Thura 16 Falls Church VA 37:48
2 1354 Amy Steinbuechler 17 Springfield VA 43:42MALE AGE GROUP: 20 - 24 (NET TIME)
1 1272 Guy Alton 24 Richmond VA 26:02
2 1453 Mathew Hoppe 24 Fairfax VA 33:55FEMALE AGE GROUP: 20 - 24 (NET TIME)
1 1081 Marina Casciano 23 Fairfax VA 37:38
2 1146 Stephanie Waterhouse 22 Alexandria VA 40:02MALE AGE GROUP: 25 - 29 (NET TIME)
1 1334 Rick Lucian 28 Fairfax VA 30:31
2 1427 Michael Rossi 28 Vienna VA 30:35FEMALE AGE GROUP: 25 - 29 (NET TIME)
1 1161 Dawn Sell 26 Fairfax VA 34:24
2 1300 Marley Sweeney-Rave 26 Washington DC 35:53MALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 34 (NET TIME)
1 1372 Mike Toner 33 Arlington VA 31:52
2 1277 James Smirnoff 31 Ashburn VA 34:39FEMALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 34 (NET TIME)
1 1225 Amanda Krawchuk 30 Arlington VA 35:04
2 1322 Keysha Pochopien 31 Springfield VA 40:25MALE AGE GROUP: 35 - 39 (NET TIME)
1 1268 Ray Pugsley 39 Potomac Falls VA 26:09
2 1397 Reynolds Wilson 36 Arlington VA 29:38FEMALE AGE GROUP: 35 - 39 (NET TIME)
1 1270 Denise Schindler 38 Reedville VA 37:32
2 1063 Jen Norris 37 Arlington VA 38:09MALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44 (NET TIME)
1 1472 Morris Bodrill 41 Fort Lee VA 28:36
2 1414 Joe Turk 40 Washington DC 31:16FEMALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44 (NET TIME)
1 1326 Laura Niel 44 Annandale VA 33:44
2 1418 Inga Middleton 42 Arlington VA 35:25MALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49 (NET TIME)
1 1332 Mark Neff 46 Derwood MD 29:51
2 1415 David Cramer 45 McLean VA 34:20FEMALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49 (NET TIME)
1 1176 June Ring 47 Fairfax VA 39:25
2 1170 Lydia Izquierdo 46 Fairfax VA 41:59MALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 54 (NET TIME)
1 1333 Gary Grimsley 54 Springfield VA 30:37
2 1462 John Bacon 52 Arlington VA 31:54FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 54 (NET TIME)
1 1180 Lucille Lloyd 54 Stafford VA 37:09
2 1186 Merrilee Seidman 54 Alexandria VA 39:47MALE AGE GROUP: 55 - 59 (NET TIME)
1 1187 Paul Bousel 55 Alexandria VA 32:52
2 1242 James Moreland 56 Gaithersburg MD 34:26FEMALE AGE GROUP: 55 - 59 (NET TIME)
1 1409 Suanne Shocket 55 Manassas VA 38:46
2 1478 Ruth Mann 55 39:01MALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64 (NET TIME)
1 1254 Jason Page 63 Hamilton VA 32:27
2 1229 Michael Wesbecher 60 Oakton VA 33:58FEMALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64 (NET TIME)
1 1258 Christina Lyons 62 Fairfax VA 54:02
2 1129 Monica Fleischmann 60 Arlington VA 1:03:49MALE AGE GROUP: 65 - 69 (NET TIME)
1 1160 Joseph Hulings 67 Burke VA 44:58
2 1447 Ron Steele 69 Fairfax VA 45:12MALE AGE GROUP: 70 - 99 (NET TIME)
1 1388 Phillip Hager 71 Falls Church VA 41:31
2 1328 Larry Dickerson 77 Burke VA 43:56MALE FIRST TIME RACER: NET TIME - NET PACE 1 - 99
1 1114 Roger Smith 37 M Alexandria VA 32:19FEMALE FIRST TIME RACER: NET TIME - NET PACE 1 - 99
1 1180 Lucille Lloyd 54 F Stafford VA 37:09
(Photo below: Sixth place Amanda Krawchuk (30) of Arlington, VA races a fine 35:17.)
