Photos by Bob Mallet

Thousands of runners crowded the start at Freedom Plaza for this year's St. Patrick's Day 10K. To everyone's delight, the weatherman bobbled the prediction again this week. No snow, no rain, just clear skies and a light wind greeted runners for the 9:30 am start. Bagpipes blared as the sea of runners surged forward, taking nearly five minutes to clear the chirping ChampionChip mats.

Philippe Rolly, three-time winner and certainly one of the favorites, was unable to attend. Rumors are that his wife is soon to be bringing home a brand new runner. The top dozen runners, slowed somewhat by middling headwinds and a couple of hairpin turns, still managed a sub 34:00 race. Early on, it was clear the ground-eating, loping style of Wilson Komen of Washington, DC would not be seriously challenged. Second place Michael Wardian of Arlington, VA (photo), certainly a star in this area, gave it a strong effort trying to bridge the gap. Komen appeared to be finishing a light workout, easily winning in 31:14. Wardian was three hundred meters back. After that, runners pushing hard for the finish came across about ten meters apart.

Mark Stickley (42) of Winchester, VA has been very active since turning masters, beating Ron Kulik for the title by nearly a minute. Local favorite Chuck Moeser pulled up with a hamstring injury at mile two. Dan Lawson (49) finished 20th overall in 34:43 and appeared eager to turn fifty and offer Moeser some age group competition.

Many top age group runners from the region came out today as this race often decides who will be ranked tops in the spring runner rankings. Patrick Griffith (60) won his division, breaking forty minutes. Jerry Lewis (70) and Walt Washburn (82) also are top contenders. Neither was ecstatic about their times. Maybe that is why they are at or near the top of their divisions. Jay Wind (55) was pleased with his time. On the sidelines, running legend Darrell General tells us that he is in full training mode for a fall marathon. A former 2:14:00 marathoner, he turns forty in December and is still a threat to win it all.

The women's race was mostly a two-woman race. Mostly because former Marine Corps Marathon winner Mary Kate Bailey (photo, with Jean-Christophe Arcaz in background) hung in strongly with winner Susannah Kvasnicka for the first four miles. From there, Kvasnicka pulled away. In the last hundred meters, thinking Bailey may have closed, she put on a fierce kick, rivaling any of the first thirty finishers. She has only dipped below 35 minutes once before, but this race today, in 35:18 with her ending kick, shows she will be under many more times. Steph Dueringer of Indianapolis, IN was one of four runners from out of the area to crack the top twenty-five in either sex. She bested Jackie Concaugh for third by five seconds in 37:02. Robyn Humphrey of Ellicott City was the masters champ in 39:37.

After the race, there was lots of DrinkMore Water, courtesy of Shamrock Relocation, bagels, cookies, muffins, and fruit. Along with the awards came scores of random prizes. Full official results soon to follow.

See results of the St. Patrick's Day 10K.

See the Photo Gallery.