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DC Road Runners Club Running Festival
By George Banker
Alexandria, VA
August 24, 2010
For the Washington Running Report
The DCRRC has much history within this running community. On October 15, 1972 was the first year of the International Two Bridges Race (36 miles) which ran from the Washington Monument to historic Mount Vernon and back. The event director was Robert Crane, the treasurer was Garnett "Gar" Williams, and the sponsor was Jerry Power, a former head coach at American University and then owner of the firm Power Aquatics and Athletics. The event secretary was Billy Mills. Max White was the winner with 3:44:58 and the runner-up was Park J. Barner, Jr. with 3:48:04 with Ted Corbitt was third with 4:09:14.
On October 7, 1984 the club added the National Capital 20-miler which started in Old Town Alexandria (Union and King Sts). The first year winners were Peter Nye of Arlington, VA (1:55:40) and Barbara Frech (2:16:19). Over the years the race course changed several times. This year the event will celebrate 27 years (race was cancelled in 2003 due to damage along the Mt. Vernon bike trail).
In 1957 the Greenbelt 15K was started and was later changed to honor the memory of Larry Noel. On September 1, 1968 Lou Castagnola of the Washington Sports Club edged out Charles Koester of the Baltimore Olympic Club, 47:39 to 47:43. In 2009 the distance was changed to a 12K.
On Saturday, October 2, 2010 to Beltsville Running Festival will include the 27th National Capital 20-Miler, 52nd Larry Noel 12K and the new National Capital 10-Miler, plus a 3K.
A fund-raising event to support the Girls Gotta Run Foundation, a volunteer charitable organization founded to support Ethiopian girls training to be professional runners. Five dollars of your entry fee supports GGRF's work to support girls and women in Ethiopia to run, stay in school, avoid early marriage and childbirth, and gain economic self-sufficiency.
Distance and course (Visit Web site for USATF certified course maps):
20 and 10 Mile: Start time: 7:00 a.m. Loop course, starting at intersection of Research Road and Beaver Dam Road. Proceed east on Beaver Dam, northwest on Springfield, west on Powder Mill, south on Sheep, west on Powder Mill almost to Edmonston; turn around and return to Research Road for one 10-mile loop. Repeat for 20 miles.
12K: Start time: 8:00 a.m. The route is a triple out-and-back, starting at intersection of Research Road and Beaver Dam Road. Proceed south on Research Road almost to the upper security gate and return. Turn right and run east on Beaver Dam almost to Soil Conservation Road and return. Continue west almost to Rosedale Lane and return
3K: Start time: 8:15 a.m. The course is a single out-and-back, starting at intersection of Research Road and Beaver Dam Road. Proceed south on Research Road almost to the upper security gate and return.
T-Shirt: Artistic shirt with no corporate logos guaranteed to all runners who register by September 19, 2010. We are planning for long-sleeve, technical-fabric shirts for the 10 and 20 milers, short-sleeve cotton Ts for the 12K and 3K (subject to change).
Registration: Online registration and full race details is available at http://www.dcroadrunners.org. Pre-registration is recommended as entries are limited.
Note: we are offering free 20-miler registration to runners who completed a 20-mile or longer race in 2:00:00 or faster for men and in 2:20:00 or faster for women in the past year (on or after October 3, 2009). Please contact the race director, Bob Thurston (thurret@aol.com), with details if you qualify for complimentary entry.
Event Fees:
20 Miler - Non-member $50, DCRRC Member $40
10 Miler - Non-member $45, DCRRC Members $40
12K - Non-members $25, DCRRC Members $20
3K - Non-members $20, DCRRC Members $15
Event Record for 20-Miler
Open: Jim Hage 1:48:23 (1992) Jane Welzel 2:02:32 (1998)
Master: Jim Hage 1:48:23 (1992) Rose Malloy 2:08:00 (1990)
12K
Open: Jeff Gaudeh 40:44 (2009) Elena Orhova 45:33 (2009)
Master: Malcolm Lester 44:53 (2009) Win Persina 58:22 (2009)
Volunteer: We will need lots of help putting on this race. If you would like to help, please contact Delabian Rice-Thurston (delabian@aol.com).
Packet Pickup: On race day, bibs and shirts may be picked up at the Log Cabin porch at the Agriculture Center (about a quarter mile from the start).
Directions: Take Beltway exit 23, Kenilworth Avenue (Route 201) north. Kenilworth Avenue becomes Edmonston Road. After 1.9 miles, turn right on Powder Mill Road. After 1.9 miles, just after Research Road, turn right into parking area. OR take BW Parkway to Powder Mill Road exit, go west 1.2 miles on Powder Mill, turn left into parking lot
The D.C. Road Runners Club is a chapter of the Road Runners Club of America and also affiliated with USA Track and Field. DCRRC provides a year-round schedule of running events that offer everyone a chance to participate regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.