Cold weather came roaring into the Washington area this weekend but the surge of runners is not slowing down. The race, part of the DCRRC Snowball series, meets in the park where at least three other races are run. The course almost immediately darts under the Wilson Boulevard, passing by Bon Air Park. Runners head along the bike path that follows beside Route 66. Then as if not sure which way to go the course doubles back, cruises under the highway and follows it out and back for the next five miles. The course was windy and under the shadows of the barriers separating it from the road - Cold!

Over the years the course has started in different spots including a school about a half mile past the final turnaround. That year eclectic race director James Scarborough granted awards based on height groupings (6 feet & over, 5'6" to 6', etc...).

No one was real surprised when we were directed behind the tennis courts to start about 75 meters behind last year's start. By the time runners realized that the last turnaround was too short they were done and glad the race was more like 7.05 miles instead of the full 12K (7.456M).

Bert Rodriguez (27) of Arlington, VA won again this year but he was dogged a little closer by Brian Baillie (24) of Arlington, VA. Rodriguez ran 38:11 vs. 40:52 from last year. Baillie was 38:55. Matt Lowe was runner-up last year in 42:27. Matt Boyd (36) of Fredericksburg, VA was fourth again in 40:46; last year he was 43:24. Ted Poulos (45) of McLean, VA was again eighth in 42:28; last year he ran 45:01. Mark Whalley (46) of Fairfax, VA was the masters winner in 41:59. Mike Hart (51) of Washington, DC again dominated the grandmasters; the year in 42:31, last year in 45:05.

For the women, Toni Marie Diegoli (28) of Arlington, VA raced home in 46:50, repeating as champion. Last year she ran 49:23 with runner-up Jessie Sackett just fifty meters back. This year at 44, Patricia Zerfas of Kensington, MD continues her racing revival, finishing second in 48:36. Top grandmaster Betty Blank is eased back a notch to fifth overall this year in 51:27. Last year she was fourth in 54:04.