It's an odd kind of race for John Korir. For Reuben Cheruiyot, however, it's even.

And now it's all square between the two of them, after John Korir won for the second time and extended his annual rivalry with his fellow Kenyan at the 31st Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile. Korir ran 46 minutes 55 seconds to win for the second time in three years; Cheruiyot finished seven seconds back and again finished second; he won the race in 2000 and 2002.

"I was struggling for nine miles," Korir said. "But at the end, I felt very strong."

Perhaps it was the tailwind over the final 21/2 miles that spurred him on; perhaps it was the 4:22 eighth mile. Perhaps it's because this is just his year. Whatever the reason, Korir was generous in victory. "I know [Cheruiyot] is very good," Korir said. "Reuben is my friend," he said.

Cheruiyot was already talking about next year: "I will be back," he said. "I like this race."

Twenty-two-year old Olga Romanova from Russia was the surprise women's winner in 53:42. Romanova, who finished 15th one week earlier in the World Cross-Country 4K race in Switzerland, only decided to race in Washington when agent Konstantin Selinovich suggested in Switzerland that she change her flight schedule and race in the United States. Like Korir, Romanova earned $5,250 for her trouble.

She took the lead around nine miles, passing Asha Gigi from Ethiopia in a rush. Gigi, the pre-race favorite, had finished four places ahead of Romanova at World Cross. But at the Cherry Blossom finish line, she was seven seconds back.

Sylvia Mosqueda, 36 (photo left), was the top American in 53:57 and third for the second year in a row.

Locally, David Spiller, 25, from Harrisonburg, was tenth overall and the top American in 48:35, a personal best by more than a minute. Spiller, who won the Montgomery County Marathon in the Parks last fall, dropped out of the marathon national championships in Birmingham in February. But after his strong performance at Cherry Blossom, the 2001 James Madison graduate may run Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn., in June.

Heather Hanscom from Alexandria finished eleventh overall in 58:31, and as the top local woman earned a trip to the Peachtree 10K on July 4 in Atlanta. Hanscom gained a measure of revenge against local rival Casey Smith, who won the St. Patrick's Day 10K last month when Hanscom was third.

"It's a rivalry, but a friendly one," Hanscom said. "It's good to have other women to race against."

Former area runner Martha Merz, who now lives in Connecticut, was the top masters runner and 19th overall in 1:00:24. Chuck Moeser, 51, from Sterling, was the top masters male, 46th overall in 56:09.

For the 7,000 registered runners--many of whom were unable to run the Washington D.C. Marathon after it was canceled for alleged security concerns two weeks ago--happiness was a simple, although tiring, thing. Race director Phil Stewart had contingency plans for moving to the race to Poolesville, Md., but that proved unnecessary.

"The cherry blossoms are out, the weather is great, and it's a great day to race in West Potomac Park," he said, smiling.

See complete results.

For more information about the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile race, see the race Web site.

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