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Women Division 2008
Open Women
Baltimore Half Marathon, 1:13:14, 10K = 33:06
Again the largest division, this time with 55 qualifiers, was a very competitive one. The top two runners exchanged pleasantries many times during the year. Our champion, Hirut Mandefro, had one more victory. Last year's champion, Belainesh Gebre, had the best time at the Baltimore HM but, as with many of the top runners, did not race quite enough to qualify. Julie Culley inspired all, closing in on the Twilight 8K all-time record with a powerful 26:58, and she ran the ill-fated Baltimore 5K (short course) to an overall win, but that was all she wrote. Mandefro was second at that race in 16:13 but truly the fastest time belonged to runner-up Alemgena Desta, who won the always-fast PVI Runfest 5K in 16:16. Mandefro had the best 10K times at DARCARS Pike's Peek and Veterans Day, while Desta had the best 5K times at Kentlands and St. Joseph. Matching their seven best races, Mandefro earns top billing with a Moreland Racing Factor of 223 versus 200 for Desta.
Hirut Mandefro won 11 races in a highly competitive year. She also ran Pike's Peek in 34:24.
Kristen Henehan of Washington, DC had three 10K races in the mid 36:00 range, including the GW Birthday 10K in 36:14. She made her bones at the Shamrock HM a month later with a flashy 1:16:12 overall win to win third in the division. Phebe Ko was next, nudging back Briana Whaley's National HM in 1:18:17 with her fall effort in Baltimore at 1:18:10. In November she iced the spot with a third overall at the Richmond Marathon in 2:46:57. Renee High popped a fine fall half to go with her Shamrock HM in the spring at 1:19:08.
Lindsay Wilkins tested her stuff at the Crystal City 5K in 17:21 while Melissa Tanner toasted the town at Army with 59:26. Then they went long, with Wilkins snatching seventh place in this division at Marine Corps for her second overall finish (2:49:06). Tanner showed up shortly afterwards in 2:51:45. Elena Orlova (38) edged Aurora Scott (18) as the top runner from another division with her 1:20:14 Baltimore HM. Scott ran 36:14 for the 10K.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Mandefro, Hirut*11 |
23 |
Silver Spring, MD |
|
2 |
Desta, Alemgena*6 |
27 |
Silver Spring, MD |
|
3 |
Henehan, Kristen*** |
29 |
Washington, DC |
|
4 |
Ko, Phebe*5 |
25 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
5 |
Whaley, Briana** |
30 |
Culpepper, VA |
|
6 |
High, Renee*7 |
27 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
7 |
Wilkins, Lindsay** |
30 |
Arlington , VA |
|
8 |
Tanner, Melissa**** |
27 |
Bethesda, MD |
|
9 |
Orlova, Elena*** |
38 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
10 |
Scott, Aurora*5 |
18 |
Chesapeake, VA |
|
11 |
Bekele, Yihunilish*** |
27 |
Washington, DC |
|
12 |
Baker, Amy |
24 |
Manassas, VA |
|
13 |
Ramsey, Christine*** |
25 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
14 |
Harvey, Alisa*** |
43 |
Manassas, VA |
|
15 |
Van Cleef, Aidan*6 |
23 |
Chesapeake, VA |
|
16 |
Pruitt, Crystal* |
22 |
Poquoson, VA |
|
17 |
Swain, Erin* |
26 |
Clifton, VA |
|
18 |
Knize, Elizabeth*** |
26 |
Midlothian, VA |
|
19 |
Fenske, Tara* |
31 |
Washington, DC |
|
20 |
Merz, Martha*** |
45 |
Annandale, VA |
|
21 |
Wallace, Barbara |
34 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
22 |
Muething, Mary Beth |
30 |
Arlington, VA |
|
23 |
Knickman, Denise*12 |
40 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
24 |
Swarts, Heidi*** |
34 |
Rosedale, MD |
|
25 |
Schrank, Brenda*5 |
36 |
Winchester, VA |
|
26 |
Nemmers, Erica* |
36 |
Herndon, VA |
|
27 |
Cunningham, Michelle** |
33 |
Centreville, VA |
|
28 |
Davison, Mary*7 |
36 |
Bristow, VA |
|
29 |
Stick, Sherry*10 |
30 |
Sykesville, MD |
|
30 |
Cairns, Hilary** |
38 |
Washington, DC |
|
31 |
Taylor, Kelley |
23 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
32 |
Fleck, Eileen** |
32 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
33 |
Smith, Julia*7 |
40 |
Tappahannock, VA |
|
34 |
Pak, Colleen**** |
38 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
35 |
Uhl, Alice**** |
33 |
Fincastle, VA |
|
36 |
Kirby, Samantha** |
40 |
Arlington, VA |
|
37 |
Thorstenson, Mina**** |
25 |
Blacksburg, VA |
|
38 |
Villani, Leisa* |
50 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
39 |
Ramos, Laura* |
29 |
North Bethesda, MD |
|
40 |
Foley, Linda**** |
46 |
Oak Hill, VA |
|
41 |
Oleynik, Anya** |
20 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
42 |
Kline, Sheryl*** |
46 |
Arnold, MD |
|
43 |
Morganti, Christina** |
43 |
Severna Park, MD |
|
44 |
Catanese, Anna*** |
42 |
Mechanicsville, VA |
|
45 |
Peterson, Heidi*7 |
14 |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
46 |
Ratcliffe, Nicola** |
41 |
Crozet, VA |
|
47 |
Nathan, Rebecca** |
43 |
Arlington, VA |
|
48 |
Perotti, Ofelia |
52 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
49 |
Taylor, Laura**** |
22 |
Richmond, VA |
|
50 |
Krycinski, Sarah**** |
27 |
Bedford, VA |
|
51 |
Waldhauser, Courtney** |
18 |
Fallston, MD |
|
52 |
Conant, Cindy |
47 |
Kensington, MD |
|
53 |
Braner, Elyse** |
24 |
Washington, DC |
|
54 |
Lovett, Pamela* |
45 |
Newport News, VA |
|
55 |
Trycinksi, Christine |
25 |
Baltimore, MD |
19 & Under Women
YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, 16:39, 10K = 34:40
Aurora Scott of Chesapeake, VA is back, maybe not as fast as in previous years when she was running sub 35:00 10K pace. Still, she easily won all five of her races. Her first race of 2008 was the TS Tune-up 10K in 36:14. That was the standard that no one would get close to. Her last race was the Pam Edwards 5K in 17:42.
Runner-up Kayleigh Lewellyn of Chesapeake, VA put the pedal to the metal in October, improving her best 5K by 36 seconds (18:26) to win the Hilton 5K. Third place Anya Oleynik of Gaithersburg, MD started the first weekend with a 39:13 on the rolling YMCA Turkey Chase 10K. She was second overall. Two days later she ran the Turkey Burnoff 10M to overall victory in 1:06:14. Both were a far cry from her DARCARS Pike's Peek from 2007 in 37:04. New Year's Day she won it all in a 5K with 18:51.
Just fifteen, Brittney Rooks of Baltimore, MD won 19 races in her division. That does not include the many track meets where she excelled in the sprints.
Fourth place Brittney Rooks (14) of Baltimore, MD races a lot under the guidance of her coach/father Remus Medley. Her year brought her 19 age group wins. Her best race matched Oleynik's exactly when she won the Dundalk Pondskipper 5K. Fifth place was another 14-year-old, Heidi Peterson of Williamsburg, VA. She stayed more consistent and made the open division as well. Her best race was the Colonial 5K in 19:00.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Scott, Aurora*5 |
18 |
Chesapeake, VA |
|
2 |
Lewellyn, Kayleigh*7 |
17 |
Chesapeake, VA |
|
3 |
Oleynik, Anya*7 |
19 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
4 |
Rooks, Brittney*19 |
14 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
5 |
Peterson, Heidi*10 |
14 |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
6 |
Gresham, Casey*5 |
17 |
Chesapeake, VA |
|
7 |
Waldhauser, Courtney*11 |
19 |
Fallston, MD |
|
8 |
Schrader, Taryn**** |
17 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
9 |
Hexter, Melissa*7 |
14 |
Bel Air, MD |
|
10 |
Ryba, Anna*9 |
14 |
Bethesda, MD |
|
11 |
Sinclair, Ashlyn*8 |
19 |
Silver Spring, MD |
|
12 |
Twigg, Elaine*7 |
19 |
Falls Church, VA |
|
13 |
Lang, Tiffany**** |
14 |
Columbia, MD |
|
14 |
Gessler, Julie**** |
15 |
Ellicott City, MD |
|
15 |
Sacker, Katie*7 |
18 |
Catonsville, MD |
|
16 |
Stasakova, Erika**** |
18 |
Bel Air, MD |
|
17 |
Hubbard, Christine*18 |
19 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
18 |
Ferro, Amy** |
15 |
Rockville, MD |
|
19 |
Ulmer, Lauren**** |
18 |
Chesapeake, VA |
|
20 |
Dickson, Candice*7 |
19 |
Bowie, MD |
|
21 |
Justice, Alexandra*5 |
13 |
Suffolk, VA |
|
22 |
May, Abby*5 |
11 |
Forest, VA |
|
23 |
Richardson, Malina*7 |
12 |
Ashland, VA |
|
24 |
Julienne, Gabrielle**** |
16 |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
25 |
Meadows, Alyssa*** |
17 |
Martinsburg, WV |
|
26 |
Glueck, Gaylin** |
13 |
Williamsburg, VA |
35-39 Women
Shamrock Festival Half Marathon, 1:17:04, 10K = 34:49
Elena Orlova did not get started on 2008 until August. Her first effort, at the Leesburg 10K, topped every other time thus far except for third place Brenda Schrank's excellent Credit Union Cherry Blossom in 1:03:04. In September she geared up at the Parks HM in 1:24:34. Runner up Erica Nemmers ran a solid Stone Ridge 5K in 18:11 for the fastest 5K in the division, ahead of Orlova's Kentlands 5K in 18:12. Still, Orlova had already popped the Awareness 8K in 29:31. A week later, she topped the division at the Baltimore HM with 1:20:01. At the Rockville 10K, Orlova won it all in 37:16.
Nearly everyone in the top ten had ten or more age group wins. Nemmers backed her play with a nice 30:17 Alexandria Turkey Trot 5M to start the period. Twelve months later she banged home a swift Veterans Day 10K in 38:22. Schrank ran the Apple Blossom 38:21. Fourth place Mary Davison ran an 18:15 Designer Fitness 5K overall win, while Hilary Cairns managed an 18:18 runner-up at Ellen's Run 5K. Cairns had the fastest 10K with Jingle All the Way in 38:16. That was ahead of Davison's 38:25 at DARCARS Pike's Peek, with Cairns trailing in 38:41.
Brenda Schrank of Winchester used to be just known for owning the Shenandoah Valley. After her Cherry Blossom 10M in 63:04 she moves to third overall in the submasters division.
Sixth place Julia Smith had seven overall wins, including the Hospice 5K in 18:33. Colleen Pak never ran a race shorter than ten miles. Her Shamrock Marathon in 3:00:37 was the top marathon for the division, just ahead of ninth place Denise Knickman's 3:01:40 at the National. Samantha Kirby was a virtual tie with her Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in 1:04:21.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Orlova, Elena*10 |
38 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
2 |
Nemmers, Erica*11 |
36 |
Herndon, VA |
|
3 |
Schrank, Brenda*12 |
36 |
Winchester, VA |
|
4 |
Davison, Mary*12 |
36 |
Chesapeake, VA |
|
5 |
Cairns, Hilary*14 |
38 |
Washington, DC |
|
6 |
Smith, Julia*10 |
39 |
Tappahannock, VA |
|
7 |
Pak, Colleen*12 |
38 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
8 |
Kirby, Samantha*9 |
39 |
Arlington, VA |
|
9 |
Knickman, Denise*11 |
39 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
10 |
Dumbrell, Jeanette**** |
39 |
Falls Church, VA |
|
11 |
Quarles, Jennifer*5 |
36 |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
12 |
Himes, Suzanne** |
38 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
13 |
Rocha, Petra*5 |
37 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
14 |
Sporidis, Christy*9 |
39 |
Potomac, MD |
|
15 |
Greeson, Laura |
39 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
16 |
Gudat, Felicia*5 |
38 |
Frederick, MD |
|
17 |
Cochran, Mary Beth** |
39 |
Bel Air, MD |
|
18 |
Price, Kimberly* |
36 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
19 |
Sandrock, Marie*5 |
36 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
20 |
Ransom, Elizabeth*5 |
36 |
Toano, VA |
40-44 Women
Army 10 Mile, 60:57, 10K = 36:38
Alisa Harvey of Manassas, VA continues to dominate masters racing. She owned nine of the top ten times, including winning three races outright. During the winter and spring she spent a lot of time on the track honing her middle distance skills. At the inaugural Crystal City 5K in July, she set the standard, racing 17:43. At Leesburg she finished fast, setting the masters record at 37:07. A proven threat to win it all at Army, she ran 1:00:57 for the fastest race of the year. In the fall she capped the season, winning at Veterans Day 10K in 37:18 and at nTelos, she was top master in 29:21.
Next in line is the only possible threat to her dominance. Denise Knickman of Baltimore, MD quietly amassed a monster 12 overall wins, along with six second places overall. She split the year as a submaster, winning her age group or better in all 26 of her races. When Knickman turned 40, her times got faster. She spent the early summer winning 5Ks and 10Ks. In September she took on the muggy Parks HM in 1:29:05 just behind Harvey's 1:28:02. Two weeks later she hosed the entire field, winning the NCR Trail HM in 1:25:54. That was a build up for her chance to dip under 3:00 at the marathon. (She had run 3:01:40 at the National Marathon in the spring.) That happened two weeks later at Baltimore, where she had her best race of the year, finishing eighth overall in 2:56:26.
Elizabeth Feldman takes the third spot, outdueling fourth place Christina Morganti at Credit Union Cherry Blossom 1:04:53 to 1:05:24. Feldman liked the distance, racing the RRCA Challenge in 1:06:14 just behind a still 39 Knickman. Feldman also was the overall winner at the DCRRC Al Lewis 10M to start the year. Morganti took on her hilly 10 miler as well, racing Annapolis in 1:05:42 for first master before capping the year with her best race, the Army 10 Miler in 1:05:20.
Karen Young of Boyds, MD was dying to turn masters and make the rankings. This raceaoholic ran 140 races, including 48 5Ks and 44 10Ks in 2008.
The next six spots were ultra close with the nod going to Anna Catanese with nine age group wins, including her overall win at the Frostbite 15K in 1:00:43. Nicola Ratcliffe knifed ahead of Paula Pels' DARCARS Pike's Peek in 39:37, as well as tenth ranked Anne Colevas (39:44), with a nifty Martha Jefferson 8K in 31:07. Anita Freres of Reston, VA came on like gangbusters, winning 18 times with a top time of 39:37 at the Veterans Day 10K for eighth place. Becky Nathan won it all at the B&A HM in 1:27:51 for ninth pace.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Harvey, Alisa*12 |
43 |
Manassas, VA |
|
2 |
Knickman, Denise*14 |
40 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
3 |
Feldman, Elizabeth*5 |
41 |
Chevy Chase, MD |
|
4 |
Morganti, Christina**** |
43 |
Severna Park, MD |
|
5 |
Catanese, Anna*9 |
42 |
Mechanicsville, VA |
|
6 |
Ratcliffe, Nicola*5 |
41 |
Crozet, VA |
|
7 |
Pels, Paula*6 |
41 |
Bethesda, MD |
|
8 |
Freres, Anita*18 |
43 |
Reston, VA |
|
9 |
Nathan, Rebecca*9 |
43 |
Arlington, VA |
|
10 |
Colevas, Anne*6 |
42 |
Washington, DC |
|
11 |
Kline, Sheryl* |
44 |
Arnold, MD |
|
12 |
Haupt, Diane*6 |
42 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
13 |
Sheppard, Rosalind**** |
41 |
Bowie, MD |
|
14 |
Glueck, Connie*19 |
44 |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
15 |
Hunter, Joan** |
44 |
Purcellville, VA |
|
16 |
Hall, Maureen*16 |
43 |
Lavale, MD |
|
17 |
Beven, Helen*8 |
43 |
Kensington, MD |
|
18 |
Hauschild, Veronique** |
41 |
Joppa, MD |
|
19 |
Tingle, Lane*** |
42 |
Woodbridge, VA |
|
20 |
Delaney, Nancy*11 |
42 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
21 |
Kinnecome, Susie*** |
44 |
Bethesda, MD |
|
22 |
Bridges, Paula*9 |
42 |
Cumberland, MD |
|
23 |
Rico, Monique*5 |
40 |
Aldie, VA |
|
24 |
McIntyre, Janelle*5 |
43 |
Ellicott City, MD |
|
25 |
Morgan, Cynthia** |
42 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
26 |
Willingham, Lise*6 |
44 |
Earlysville, VA |
|
27 |
Griffin, Sandra*** |
41 |
Upper Marlboro, MD |
|
28 |
Krill, Carol*5 |
44 |
Stafford, VA |
|
29 |
McLaughlin, Debbie**** |
43 |
Vienna, VA |
|
30 |
Benante, Susan** |
44 |
Norfolk, VA |
|
31 |
Wigle, Barbara*** |
41 |
Centreville, VA |
|
32 |
Stotler, Tonya** |
42 |
Leesburg, VA |
|
33 |
Young, Karen*5 |
40 |
Boyds, MD |
45-49 Women
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 1:02:10, 10K = 37:22
This division grew even larger, to 46 runners, but there was no doubt about who would assume the title. Last year's runner-up, Andrea Wright, slowed a mere four seconds to 1:04:40 at this year's Charlottesville 10 Mile and it was not enough to hold on to the runner-up spot. Last year's champion, Linda Foley, slowed a little more, finishing Army in 1:05:17, and dropped to sixth. Fifth place Leisa Villani of Virginia Beach, VA squeezed in a couple of half marathons, including the East Beach race in 1:26:02, before switching to grandmaster.
Martha Merz of Annandale, VA casually exploded past everyone, winning everything in sight. She had three overall wins. She started the year at the Jingle All the Way 10K, laying down the gauntlet with a sixth overall, masters win in 37:58. In April, she annihilated the division at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in 1:02:10. Fifth place Vanessa Cox was next there in 1:05:19.
In May, Merz added the top half marathon with 1:24:51 at the inaugural Marine Corps Historic HM. Then two weeks later won it all at the Capital Crescent 5K in 18:34.
Josephine Menk of Montpelier, VA showed good closing speed to win the Eagle Challenge 5K in 18:37. That alone would have made it tough to decide the next two spots. Wright added a nifty Martha Jefferson 8K in 30:52 in March. But in November the two met up at nTelos where Menk prevailed 30:55 to 31:15.
Seventh place Sheryl Kline of Arnold, MD had a ton of victories and the fastest 5K of the next five runners, but lost to Cox at DARCARS Pike's Peek 39:25 to 40:01. Foley had five faster efforts than Kline's second best race. Eighth place Cindy Conant was next on the Pike at 40:32. She also, surprisingly, ran the hilly RRCA Challenge (1:06:57) faster than the Credit Union Cherry Blossom (1:07:25).
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Merz, Martha*9 |
45 |
Annandale, VA |
|
2 |
Menk, Josephine*5 |
47 |
Montpelier, VA |
|
3 |
Wright, Andrea**** |
47 |
Charlottesville, VA |
|
4 |
Villani, Leisa*** |
49 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
5 |
Cox, Vanessa*6 |
46 |
Laurel, MD |
|
6 |
Foley, Linda*11 |
46 |
Oak Hill, VA |
|
7 |
Kline, Sheryl*19 |
45 |
Arnold, MD |
|
8 |
Conant, Cindy*13 |
47 |
Kensington, MD |
|
9 |
Persina, Win*16 |
48 |
Washington, DC |
|
10 |
Shannon, Laura*10 |
46 |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
11 |
Lovett, Pamela*16 |
46 |
Newport News, VA |
|
12 |
Olson, Ruth*13 |
46 |
Fredericksburg, VA |
|
13 |
Stewart Garbrecht, Patti* |
46 |
Bethesda, MD |
|
14 |
Abbott, Eileen**** |
46 |
Chesterfield, VA |
|
15 |
Wilkerson, Pat*9 |
49 |
Columbia, MD |
|
16 |
Trent, Jeanie* |
47 |
Richmond, VA |
|
17 |
Zerfas, Patricia*9 |
47 |
Kensington, MD |
|
18 |
Lundeen, Jennifer*** |
48 |
Port Republic, MD |
|
19 |
Kerr, Eleanor**** |
49 |
University Park, MD |
|
20 |
Fichman, Lisa*** |
46 |
Columbia, MD |
|
21 |
Keating, Patricia*5 |
47 |
Dayton, MD |
|
22 |
Betz, Jean |
49 |
Cabin John, MD |
|
23 |
Thumel, Vivian*8 |
45 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
24 |
Cooke, Jennifer |
45 |
Washington, DC |
|
25 |
Scott, Janeth**** |
46 |
Columbia, MD |
|
26 |
Laysin, Lynda |
48 |
Severn, MD |
|
27 |
Boyd, Majorie*11 |
47 |
Annapolis, MD |
|
28 |
DeFries, Christiann** |
48 |
Gordonsville, VA |
|
29 |
Santarpia, Gloria*6 |
47 |
Odenton, MD |
|
30 |
Nanda, Sushila*17 |
47 |
Arlington, VA |
|
31 |
Abbamonte, Karen*10 |
49 |
Boonsboro, MD |
|
32 |
McKnight, Katherine* |
45 |
Fairfax, VA |
|
33 |
Black, Beverly*8 |
48 |
Boonsboro, MD |
|
34 |
Balcke, Pamela*5 |
46 |
Charlottesville, VA |
|
35 |
Blasey, Sandy** |
46 |
Kensington, MD |
|
36 |
Rushin, Blake* |
47 |
Vienna, VA |
|
37 |
O'Hara, Ruth**** |
45 |
Fairfax Station, VA |
|
38 |
Rall, Tammy* |
46 |
Stafford, VA |
|
39 |
Goodwin, Robin**** |
49 |
Timonium, MD |
|
40 |
Bell, Laurel** |
46 |
Crownsville, MD |
|
41 |
Kennedy, Linda |
48 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
42 |
Harrison, Kay*5 |
45 |
Hagerstown, MD |
|
43 |
Gallagher, Catherine |
48 |
Chevy Chase, MD |
|
44 |
Wilson, Paige*** |
46 |
Midlothian, VA |
|
45 |
Jones, Ellen*** |
46 |
Fredericksburg, VA |
|
46 |
Roed, Becky** |
49 |
Springfield, VA |
50-54 Women
Baltimore Marathon, 3:02:18, 10K = 38:58
Yorktown Battlefield 10 Miler, 1:04:50, 10K = 38:58
Ofelia Perotti of Alexandria, VA skipped two of the top champion makers, DARCARS Pike's Peek 10K and Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile. Third place Debbie Flynn of Gaithersburg, MD stepped up and ran both to victory. Both times, 41:37 and 1:09:26, were solid times but Perotti owned 14 of the top 20 times, all wins. She had opened the bidding with two sub-41:00 10Ks. In the spring she dominated with her St. Patrick's Day 8K in 32:36.
Midway through the year, runners aged up and Leisa Villani was the fastest of them. She dropped down a swift pair of 5Ks, including 18:47 on Independence Day. That all but ended it; Perotti answered back with a very good 1:05:50 victory at Army. Villani rebounded from a searing hot Rock n' Roll HM in 1:34:39 with a superior 1:27:15 at FleetWeek. Two weeks later, she added icing to the cake with a Battlefield 10M in 1:04:50. Lee DiPietro matched that with her Baltimore Marathon but did not race enough to qualify.
Former champion Alison Suckling of Arnold, MD held on to fourth with her Celtic Solstice 5M in 33:43 to start the year. Two new grandmasters, Soozie Lewis and Robin Goodwin, battled for the fifth spot. Lewis broke the tie with her second best race, a Cul de Sac 5K in 20:52. Goodwin's second best was Suzie's Cause 5K in 21:09. Merecedes Castillo-D'Amico had two nice 5Ks in 20:48 while eighth place Betty Blank geared up for the new division.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Villani, Leisa*5 |
50 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
2 |
Perotti, Ofelia*14 |
52 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
3 |
Flynn, Debbie*15 |
52 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
4 |
Suckling, Alison*5 |
53 |
Arnold, MD |
|
5 |
Lewis, Soozie*6 |
50 |
Glen Allen, VA |
|
6 |
Goodwin, Robin*9 |
50 |
Timonium, MD |
|
7 |
Castillo-D'Amico, Mercedes*9 |
51 |
Newport News, VA |
|
8 |
Blank, Betty*7 |
54 |
Falls Church, VA |
|
9 |
Haghighian, Hosni*5 |
50 |
Charlottesville, VA |
|
10 |
Beckett, Dorothy*5 |
50 |
Columbia, MD |
|
11 |
Roeder, Carole*8 |
51 |
Ashburn, VA |
|
12 |
Starnes, Margaret*10 |
54 |
Street, MD |
|
13 |
Roman, Laura*7 |
53 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
14 |
Lewis, Donna*6 |
53 |
Bel Air, MD |
|
15 |
Weeks, Sharon*23 |
54 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
16 |
Talley, Carol*6 |
53 |
Toano, VA |
|
17 |
Seidman, Merrilee*8 |
54 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
18 |
Washington, Myra*18 |
51 |
Montgomery Village, MD |
|
19 |
Gammon, Karen*6 |
52 |
Moseley, VA |
|
20 |
Snodgrass, Paricia*6 |
54 |
Annapolis, MD |
|
21 |
Mertz, Leslie* |
54 |
Arlington, VA |
|
22 |
Lauzon, Jean*** |
54 |
Spotsylvania, VA |
|
23 |
Johnson, Julie**** |
51 |
Mechanicsville, VA |
|
24 |
Mutziger, Linda |
51 |
Laytonsville, MD |
|
25 |
Recto, Liza*6 |
52 |
Lexington Park, MD |
|
26 |
Lang, Mary*8 |
54 |
Pasadena, MD |
|
27 |
Evans, Cynthia*** |
52 |
Randallstown, MD |
|
28 |
Carvalho, Manuela* |
53 |
Washington, DC |
|
29 |
Ross, Saleema**** |
54 |
Fort Washington, MD |
55-59 Women
DARCARS Pike's Peek 10K, 42:00
Betty Blank of Falls Church, VA wants total domination of the division. Indeed, she won all four periods. Still, she had Lynn Marie Swanson of Norfolk, VA looming not far off. Blank opened up the year with a solid 53:28 at the Burke Lake 12K. Swanson's pace was slower at half the distance but her race in 26:17 was cross-country. Blank is better as the race get longer. At DARCARS Pike's Peek she put away the division for good with 42:00, improving on her Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10M time of 1:10:30. Swanson had a fine Shamrock 8K in 34:29.
To start the summer at the Elizabeth River 10K, Swanson had her best effort with 43:15. Blank answered with the Leesburg 20K in 1:30:46. She was not happy. Even her Army in 1:10:23 made her crave an even faster time.
Peggy Davis of Vienna, VA vaulted to eighth place, winning the Raider Run 5K the day before her best race at Pike's Peek.
Linell Smith ran that rainy morning in April to a second place division finish at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom with 1:15:23. She was well ahead of fourth place Alice Franks of Rockville, MD, who had a rough ride in 1:19:31. On the much tougher Turkey Burnoff course, she ran 1:18:36. Using gun times makes the places crazy at DARCARS Pike's Peek. Freyda Greenburg takes the fourth spot at DARCARS Pike's Peek (net) ahead of Peggy Davis (5th net). At Credit Union Cherry Blossom, Greenburg finishes in 1:20:46 to 1:21:14 for Davis.
Linda Gulick of Richmond, VA tiptoes into sixth with her SPCA 5K win in 22:42. Maria Shields is lucky seven at the Anniversary 15K in 1:13:10. At the Charlottesville 4M Wendy Golden put in her bid with 29:37 and ninth place.
|
1 |
Blank, Betty*16 |
55 |
Falls Church, VA |
|
2 |
Swanson, Lynn Marie*8 |
55 |
Norfolk, VA |
|
3 |
Smith, Linell*9 |
55 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
4 |
Franks, Alice*5 |
59 |
Rockville, MD |
|
5 |
Greenberg, Freyda** |
59 |
Falls Church, VA |
|
6 |
Gulick, Linda*14 |
57 |
Richmond, VA |
|
7 |
Shields, Maria*7 |
57 |
Davidsonville, MD |
|
8 |
Davis, Peggy*5 |
56 |
Vienna, VA |
|
9 |
Golden, Wendy**** |
56 |
Earlysville, VA |
|
10 |
Miffleton, Terry*** |
57 |
Richmond, VA |
|
11 |
Rose, Linda* |
57 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
12 |
Mills, Linda |
58 |
Salisbury, MD |
|
13 |
Jones, Helen** |
55 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
14 |
Godfrey, Jane** |
59 |
Takoma Park, MD |
|
15 |
Whittaker, Linda10 |
58 |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
16 |
Cooper, Ellen*** |
57 |
Rockville, MD |
|
17 |
Kern, Peggy*6 |
55 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
18 |
Bone, Jean* |
55 |
Richmond, VA |
|
19 |
Gustafson, Joan*** |
58 |
Portsmouth, VA |
|
20 |
St. Clair, Christy*8 |
59 |
Glen Arm, MD |
60-64 Women
Army 10 Mile, 1:16:07, 10K = 45:45
Chris Craun of Bethesda, MD really has to work for her crown. As in 2007, Nancy Crippen came out in the spring to upset her. Craun had won Credit Union Cherry Blossom in 1:16:37. Crippen over matched her with a solid Civitan 10K in 45:54 to go with her John Robbins 8K in 36:28. Craun had struggled a bit putting away fourth ranked Linda Kearney at DARCARS Pike's Peek 47:02 to 47:19. Fifth ranked Alice Franks of Rockville, MD was right on their heels in 47:31 for her last race in the 55-59 division.
In the summer Craun finished second in a 5K in 22:59. Then she lost to Rose Malloy (1:20:59) at Annapolis, her ten-mile of 1:21:30 did not get it done. Her 5K saved her from a drop to fourth in the division and it did not keep her on top. Mary Saunders of Vinton, VA went half crazy. All of her qualifying races (4) were half marathons. She saved her best for last, running the Richmond HM in 1:42:48 to earn third for the year.
Craun was clinging to her year's lead from the winter period, winning the Jingle All the Way 10K in 45:49. In October, she took down Army in 1:16:07 to secure the crown. The next month she added the Veterans Day 10K in 46:27 for good measure. Kearney was next there in 47:39 just ahead of Franks in 48:18. Franks (at 59) had finished four seconds ahead of Kearney at Credit Union Cherry Blossom with 1:19:31. Her Army time (at age 60) was even faster at 1:19:15.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Craun, Chris*16 |
62 |
Bethesda, MD |
|
2 |
Crippen, Nancy*5 |
60 |
Stafford, VA |
|
3 |
Saunders, Mary**** |
64 |
Vinton, VA |
|
4 |
Kearney, Linda**** |
62 |
Oak Hill, VA |
|
5 |
Franks, Alice*** |
60 |
Rockville, MD |
|
6 |
Gebhardt, Deborah*** |
60 |
Adelphi MD |
|
7 |
Brothers, Betty*6 |
61 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
|
8 |
King, B.J.*5 |
63 |
Crofton, MD |
|
9 |
Rosasco, Marge*6 |
60 |
Joppa, MD |
|
10 |
Tice, Linda*10 |
63 |
Glen Arm, MD |
|
11 |
Nelson, Dee*24 |
64 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
12 |
Glover, Elizabeth*6 |
63 |
Bethesda, MD |
|
13 |
Jacobs, Janice* |
61 |
Arlington, VA |
|
14 |
Welch, Pat** |
64 |
Vienna, VA |
|
15 |
Biasi, Barbara**** |
61 |
Yorktown, VA |
|
16 |
Peters, Linda**** |
61 |
Roanoke, VA |
|
17 |
May, Sandra*** |
62 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
18 |
Hirn, Ann*21 |
63 |
Portsmouth, VA |
|
19 |
Buck, Sandra**** |
62 |
Monkton, MD |
|
20 |
Himelright, Colleen*7 |
60 |
Fredericksburg, VA |
|
21 |
Lee, Punkin*5 |
62 |
Middleburg, VA |
|
22 |
Owens, Linda* |
60 |
Earlysville, VA |
|
23 |
Kautz, Karen* |
64 |
Silver Spring, MD |
|
24 |
Hawes, Felicity |
64 |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
25 |
Stark, Barbara*9 |
64 |
Suffolk, VA |
|
26 |
Dodson, Christina*5 |
62 |
Richmond, VA |
|
27 |
Friend, Connie*** |
62 |
Charlottesville, VA |
65-69 Women
Jimmy K 5K, 22:52, 10K = 47:37
Last year's Joan Coven of Williamsburg, VA did not come out to play enough to qualify, though she blistered some champion-type times. In her absence, a bunch of runners raced past last year's runner-up, Nancy Linck, clamoring for the title. Rosemary Schwartzbard was an easy pick with the top three times. She won the two top ten milers in April, Credit Union Cherry Blossom and the GW Parkway. Then in December she cruised home at the Jingle All the Way 10K in 56:55.
Rosemary Schwartzbard won the division at the Jingle All the Way 10K in 56:55. Then he the spring had two swift 10 milers to dominate the division.
Janice Hicks of Bristol, TN stepped over the southern border for a number of fine races. Her Carter Bank 5K in 27:31 was a hair behind Schwartbard's Credit Union Cherry Blossom. In May, Hicks ran the Appalachian Power Festival 10K in 57:26 for the runner-up spot. From middle Virginia, Mary Kate Berglund of Richmond, VA had 13 wins, including a couple of solid 10Ks in the 58 to 59 minutes range. Still, she excelled in the 5K, racing 27:45 at the SPCA 5K in March.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Schwartzbard, Rosemary**** |
66 |
Arlington, VA |
|
2 |
Hicks, Janice*9 |
66 |
Bristol, TN |
|
3 |
Berglund, Mary Kate*13 |
67 |
Richmond, VA |
|
4 |
Hocheder, Ellen*9 |
66 |
Mount Airy, MD |
|
5 |
Garland, Arlowene**** |
69 |
Warsaw, VA |
|
6 |
Linck, Nancy*** |
67 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
7 |
Smart, Kathy*5 |
65 |
Boyce, VA |
|
8 |
Murray, Brenda |
69 |
Chevy Chase, MD |
|
9 |
Attardi, Barbara* |
65 |
Rockville, MD |
|
10 |
Smith, Betty*6 |
67 |
Rockville, MD |
|
11 |
Privitera, Barbara* |
65 |
Alexandria, VA |
|
12 |
Cullen, Sandra** |
67 |
Ashland, VA |
|
13 |
Wendell, Barbara*** |
65 |
Annapolis, MD |
|
14 |
Ely, Pauline*17 |
69 |
Hampton, VA |
|
15 |
Wollard, Jamie |
69 |
North Bethesda, MD |
70-74 Women
George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Mile, 1:38:16, 10K = 59:03
Tami Graf of Lusby, MD took off one race to finish with 37 age group wins. At the Grafton Cold Feet 5K she met Ann Hirn (62) in a 60 and over battle and settled for second. Her time of 29:30 that February morning was her ninth best race. She bounced forward as the year warmed, a week later winning at the Valentine's Day 5K in 28:57. Often racing twice a weekend by March, she improved her 5K to 28:24. In April she capped her year with a solid GW Parkway 10M win in 1:38:16.
She needed all of that as Nancy Fraser of Charlottesville, VA was on her heels. Fraser ran 1:40:13 for ten miles in late March. Then she closed with a nice 28:33 at the Autism 5K in April to have Graf, for once, looking over her shoulder. Only one other runner enjoyed a spot in the top 40 times. Ernestine Shepherd of Baltimore, MD had 12 wins, including her best time at the Pikesville 5K in 29:38.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
Graf, Tami*37 |
72 |
Lusby, MD |
|
2 |
Fraser, Nancy*8 |
71 |
Charlottesville, VA |
|
3 |
Shepherd, Ernestine*12 |
72 |
Baltimore, MD |
|
4 |
Welker, Nancy*6 |
74 |
Roseland, VA |
|
5 |
Dameron, Betty*9 |
73 |
Fredericksburg, VA |
|
6 |
Wollard, Jamie*** |
70 |
North Bethesda, MD |
|
7 |
Hughes, Janet*5 |
71 |
Winchester, VA |
|
8 |
Chambers, Jeanette*6 |
73 |
Arnold, MD |
|
9 |
Manciagli, Ann**** |
72 |
Williamsburg, VA |
75-79 Women
Animal Chase 5K, 32:13, 10K = 1:07:05
Yvaonne Aasen had ten wins and nine of the top 11 times. Her fastest race was the MARC Train 5M in 58:28. Her best 5K was 35:41, solidly ahead of Jacqueline O'Neil's best race at the Scope It Out 5K in 36:56. Yet O'Neil takes the division with an excellent DARCARS Pike's Peek in 1:10:58, ahead of third place Lee Glassco by more than 14 minutes. Aasen's best 10K was Dawson's, a mostly flat course, in 1:17:06, albeit her eighth fastest race.
Steady Yvonne Aasen of Severna Park, MD had ten of the top twelve times to finish second in the division.
|
Pl |
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
1 |
O'Neil, Jacqueline**** |
77 |
Washington, DC |
|
2 |
Aasen, Yvonne*10 |
77 |
Severna Park, MD |
|
3 |
Glassco, Lee*6 |
77 |
McLean, VA |
|
4 |
Bryant, Peggy*5 |
75 |
Vinton, VA |
|
5 |
Trimmer, Martha*12 |
79 |
Mount Airy, MD |
80 & Over Women
nTelos 8K, 1:11:27, 10K = 1:30:42
Thirteen of 27 women 80 and older who ran a race this year ran at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K. Mae Layne of Beavertown, VA was tenth there but came back to have the fastest time for the division at nTelos.
This year there should be a true qualifier as Martha Trimmer ages up. She raced 15 times last year.
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