Despite hot, humid conditions, Patterson Wilhelm (19) of Lynchburg, VA (in photo) finished well more than a mile ahead of the field at the inaugural Patrick Henry Half Marathon. His time, a dominating 1:14:37, was almost eight minutes faster than his nearest rival, Richmond's Gerrit Labuschaqne (45), who was second in 1:22:28. Daniel Cancro (22) of Mechanicsville, VA was third at 1:23:19.

"I ran a little faster than I wanted to, but I committed early so I had to go," admitted Wilhelm who was racing primarily as a training exercise for his upcoming cross country season on the College of William & Mary varsity team. "There were so many people out on the course giving directions, and there was water everywhere," he said. "I help out with a fair share of races, but this one seemed to be one of the smoothest."

After finishing, Wilhelm shrugged off the muggy, mid 90 degree temperatures and went out for an additional three-mile run to maintain his training schedule. He then returned and cheered for his mother, Marian and brother Barry, who were racing as preparation for fall marathons. As with many entrants, Barry Wilhelm is training for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon with the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. He finished third in the men's 20 to 24 age group with a time of 1:43:22.

There were 1,117 finishers for Virginia's newest running event, which started and ended in Poor Farm Park in Ashland, VA. Organized as a partnership between the Sports Backers and the Richmond Road Runners Club, the event is named after Hanover County's famous Colonial-era patriot, Patrick Henry, who proclaimed the Revolutionary War's rallying cry, "Give me liberty or give me death." The course covers territory that Henry trod during his lifetime. Runners started at 7:35 a.m. to the roar of a Civil-war era cannon and raced over a rolling course that passed scenic farms, woodlands, and the town of Ashland's quaint railroad district.

"It felt like a fast course, a nice big loop with no sharp corners," said women's winner Anna Catanese (40) of Mechanicsville, VA who finished in 1:28:45. It was a decisive margin of victory over second place finisher Amanda Luksetich (25) of Richmond, who turned in a 1:29:58. Catanese's time would have been good enough for 10th in the men's open division. Laura Hamlin (26) of Richmond was third at 1:32:06.

"The crowds in Ashland were loud," said Catanese, "And they had bells. It was a fast course, really well marked. The police officers were yelling for us. And I liked how the course was shaded and we had the sun behind us on the second half."

Catanese was also part of a family excursion. Her husband, Michael with whom she trains was racing. "This is the first time my kids are volunteering and my husband and I are running," said Catenese who wears the speed shoes in the family. "We ran a marathon together when we were nineteen at Carleton College," she said. "I beat him and I've been beating him ever since. But he's my biggest fan and I wouldn't be out there racing without him."

Steve Long (45) of Glen Allen, VA took first in the master's men's division (1:24:23), while Michael Haney of Richmond was second (1:26:36), and Karl Cover of Montpelier, VA was third (1:34:26).

Sarah Dormon (43) of Richmond was first in the women's masters division (1:44:46). Maribeth Cowen, also of Richmond, was second (1:44:48) and Amy Sperry of Glen Allen, VA was third (1:47:02).

Mindy Adamonis of Richmond recruited her friend Char Mylnar to come from Pittsburgh to join in. "I told her to get down here for the Patrick Henry Half Marathon and we'll have a blast, and we did," she said.

Full Race Results