Photo above: Robert Graves, age 53, was followed by an incredibly young-looking 70-year-old Robert Smith of Comus, MD.
Photo below: Peter Bandettini, age 38 of Bethesda, finished 12th in 31:25.

Sunday, October 9 in Chevy Chase, MD
Now is the time to begin training for one of the Washington area's best family running events - the 18th Annual Back-to- School Classic 8K, 2K and Fun Runs, which will take place in Chevy Chase, MD on Sunday, October 9, 2005. The Back-to-School Classic benefits Somerset Elementary School.

Join an estimated field of 800 runners in the 8K and 2K races, running through the charming neighborhoods of Somerset, Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights. The course has rolling hills, and hundreds of children and area residents cheering from the sidelines. The 8K will begin at 8 am, with the 2K beginning shortly after. The 8K is USTAF-certified, with ChampionChip timing by Capital Running Company.

Registration is available online, via mail or facsimile:

Individuals: Before October 1 - $20; October 1 through race day - $25
Youth 18 & under: $15, no deadline
Brunch and t-shirt only: $15, no deadline

Complete this Entry Form and mail with a check or credit card number.
Online Registration: Click Here offers email confirmation of your entry.

The Classic also features Childrens' Fun Runs in many different age categories and a terrific brunch for all participants after the race. There are great prizes for the top three male and female overall finishers in both the 8K and 2K races.

Age group prizes will be awarded for the top three male and female finishers for the 8K in the following age groups: 11 and younger, 12-15, 16-19, 20- 34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55- 59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 and up. Prizes include restaurant certificates, travel certificates, Sport & Health Club memberships and many others!

The top random prize, donated by XM Satellite Radio, will be drawn at the conclusion of the races. All runners registered by (or postmarked by) Friday, September 30, are eligible for the random prize drawings. Must also be 18 or older to be eligible for the Grand Prize. Race day registrants are not eligible for random drawings, so send in your entry form early!

The title sponsors for the event are Evers & Co. Real Estate Inc, for the eighteenth consecutive year, and XM Satellite Radio, which is sponsoring the race for the first time. Other primary sponsors include Breads Unlimited, Steve Schwat, MacMannes, Inc., Bethesda Sport & Health, Cafe Deluxe, Dream Home Remodeling, Esprit Rainbow Travel, Huntington Learning Center, Martens Cars of Washington, Stefanelli Brothers River Road Auto Service and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Proceeds from the race help Somerset Elementary School provide scholarships for the after-school programs, build its library collections and classroom resources and offer a rich cultural arts program. The Classic is the school's largest fundraiser.

For more information, see the event Web site

Results from 2004

Top Women
Place Div/Tot  Name                Age Hometown           Clock Time
===== ======== =================== === ===================== ===== 
    1   1/28   Katie Filipczyk      28 CHEVY CHASE MD        32:05 
    2   1/25   Carol Bamford        41 WASHINGTON DC         34:21 
    3   1/5    Stephanie Denning    17 WASHINGTON DC         34:58 
    4   2/25   Antonia Farrell      43 CHEVY CHASE MD        35:31 
    5   1/3    Alice Franks         56 ROCKVILLE MD          36:24 
    6   3/25   Renee Butler         43 BETHESDA MD           36:30 
    7   4/25   Anna Gunn            41 CHEVY CHASE MD        36:51 
    8   1/20   Carole Kammel        36 ROCKVILLE MD          37:07 
    9   2/28   Courtney Ohlweiller  23 ARLINGTON VA          39:20  
   10   3/28   Erin Silliman        22 WASHINGTON DC         37:15 


Top Men
    1   1/26   Jim Hage             46 KENSINGTON MD         27:41 
    2   1/11   John Rogers          25 WASHINGTON DC         28:26 
    3   2/11   Anthony Belber       31 WASHINGTON DC         28:39 
    4   3/11   Brian Tullis         31 SILVER SPRING MD      28:51 
    5   1/31   Ted Poulos           42 MCLEAN VA             28:55 
    6   1/21   Nathaniel Mcvey-Fin  35 SILVER SPRING MD      29:04 
    7   2/31   Dan Murphy           40 BETHESDA MD           29:21 
    8   3/31   Paul Jacobson        41 GAITHERSBURG MD       29:51 
    9   2/21   Chuck Graf           38 CHEVY CHASE MD        30:00 
   10   3/21   Mark Hand            37 ARLINGTON VA          30:12 

Read Jim Hage's story of the 2004 event. "Falling leaves and football mean autumn to most. . ."

Photo above: 41-year-old Peter Yeo (far left) of Chevy Chase, MD finished in 41:40.