Photo below: Cathy Pugsley of Annandale, VA finished second in the 2003 10K in a close contest with Alisa Harvey of Manassas (36:42 to 36:52). Cathy is expecting a baby and not competing this summer, but her store, Potomac River Running, is a race sponsor. The men's field is wide open. 2003's third-place finisher Susannah Kvasnicka (see photo at bottom) is entered but Alisa Harvey is not--yet. Liz Scanlon, who placed second in 2001 with a 10K time of 36:47, has entered the 20K run; Meg McLaughlin, who ran 2:54:45 in the Women's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in St. Louis, has entered the 10K - McLaughlin ran 36:23 in the 2003 Sallie Mae 10K.

The YMCA Loudoun County announced today that it will give cash awards to the first and second place finishers in the age group divisions at the Leesburg 10K & 20K, to be held Sunday, August 8, 2004. First place age group finishers will receive $40 each, and second place finishers will receive $20 each. All overall and age group winners, including third place finishers, will received the coveted Leesburg 10K & 20K cow bell. Additional prizes for the overall and first Leesburg resident finishers include overnight stays at area B&Bs and valuable restaurant or retail gift certificates.

The prize structure is similar in the 10K and 20K races, with categories up to 75 & over in the 10K. The race also offers a prize for the fastest Leesburg resident, male and female, at both distances.

The 16th annual race incorporates the inaugural running of the 20K distance. The Leesburg 10K has been a popular stop on the summer racing circuit, growing over the years to more than 800 registrants. The 20K option was added this year to complement the 10K and offer runners the opportunity to test their fitness and stamina before beginning their training for a fall marathon. Runners will enjoy a long run in a supported environment.

Both races will start and finish at the same place (Market Station) and same starting time (8:15 am). The courses diverge as runners enter the W & OD Trail, with 20K runners turning to the west for a five kilometer out-and-back segment before returning to town on the trail.

Gu, donated by Potomac River Running stores, and an energy replacement beverage will be provided on the 20K portion of the course, courtesy of Capital Running Company.

Early registrations proved the 20K to be a winning addition to this established event, with the 20K running two-to-one ahead of 10K registrations. Registrations are evening out now, but are still running ahead of last year, and are expected to top 1,200 for the first time in race history.

An expanded festival area will better accommodate the larger field. Post-race activities include ample refreshments featuring Turkey Hill ice cream, music by WMZQ 98.7 FM, two awards ceremonies with many valuable random prizes, and screenings and health-care information from Loudoun Health Care Mobile Health Clinic. A free kids fun run of about a quarter-mile will be held immediately after the start of the 10K/20K. Kids will get to cross the official finish line, and all finishers will receive a medal.

A new on-site registration and packet pick- up location has been added for Friday, August 6 at the Potomac River Running store. The store is located in the Old Ashburn Square Shopping Center at 20630 Ashburn Rd, in Ashburn; registration and packet pick-up will be available from 3:00 to 7:30 pm.

Late registration and packet pick-up will also be available on Saturday, August 7, from noon to 4:00 pm at the Loudoun County YMCA, 6 Fairfax Street SE, Leesburg, Virginia, and on race day near the start/finish lines on the lower level of Market Station.

If you have never run a 20K and want to set a new PR, come out and run with us.

For full information on the Leesburg 10K & 20K, see the official race Web site.

See our race-day report of the 2003 race, with photos and award winners and links to the Photo Gallery and complete results.