Fifteen Year Women's Record Falls!
Heather Hanscom, the latest it girl on the Washington running scene, asked a race official about the course record just before the start of the 23rd Capitol Hill Classic. She didn't get a definitive answer, but it didn't matter much, as Hanscom made the old record old news.

"I just wanted to have something to run for," Hanscom explained.

Gunning for the 1987 course record set by Gabriele Andersen was the correct course of action, as it provided Hanscom with her only real competition. Hanscom, 24, from Alexandria, won easily in 35 minutes 27 seconds beating the old record of 35:32.

Mary Jo Saunders, 27, from Harrisonburg, Va., took second in 37:10. Not even Hilary Cairns, who won the race in 2000, 1998 and 1997, could provide much competition; Cairns (photo left with husband Malcolm Lester), who had a baby boy just three months ago, finished third, almost two minutes behind Hanscom.

Men's race winner Tim Schuler, 39, from Chambersburg, Pa., ran a wise tactical race, passing early leaders Kareem and Kyle Lanier just before halfway. Schuler pulled away steadily throughout the second half of the race and won in 32:47.

The Lanier brothers, from Lincoln University near Philadelphia, faded after an opening sub-5:00 mile. Kareem Lanier finished third in 33:19 and Kyle took fifth in 33:48.

After the 10K a short 3K was held for both the young and the fast. In all, 1,615 runners registered for the 10K and the 3K fun run.

Finally, in Washington's version of "That '70s Show," Jack McMahon, 71, from Rockville, edged Larry Dickerson, 70, from Burke, 47:55 to 47:57. Go not gently, boyz.

Complete results of the 10K race.

Complete results of the 3K race.