As spring heats up, so did the racing spirits of this 3rd annual race, which has been revived from its former past in the early 90s. The course has been shortened to a friendly 5K. It has drawn nearly two hundred runners each year. Many of the runners gathering near the Annandale High School track for the start of the race were dressed in the red and white Atoms' colors. To make it abundantly clear, this growing race sported a large red and white balloon arch.

To make a race successful, takes lots of planning and a dedicated staff. Race director Jim Connor had such a staff including the energetic Gary Grimsley and his multi- generational running family to get things ready for the runner's enjoyment. Money raised benefits the Annandale High School athletic programs and college scholarships. Still, Grimsley as a Ranked Runner sees things from both sides and eagerly made sure that the runners got the best.

Band Director, Jack Elgin, led the award-winning Marching Atoms in providing music throughout the race to motivate the participants. Runners passed by the music three times on the scenic figure eight course with mild rolling hills.

Preparing months ahead, Grimsley secured enough sponsors for a race three times as large, as this race could well be in the future. The brochure noted that there would l be trophies for the first three men and women overall, and for the first and second male and female AHS students as well will be medals for the first and second male and female in each age group. When award's announcer Bob Platt started reading of the awards, pleased runners learned that the awards would be going THREE deep and that they would getting gift certificates to local restaurants and stores as well.

This is the third year the Virginia's 11th District congressman Tom Davis has appeared and he ran a very credible time each year. He generously poised with the now sweaty runners as they received their awards, engraved medallions from Crown Trophy. In photo with Jim Noone (62) of Fairfax, VA, 1st in his division, who noted that this was also the third straight week that he had run in a race with Rep. Tom Davis (Patriots Cup 8K last week and Vienna 5K the last weekend in April). Could we say that Davis is indeed running for office?

While the age group winners were gathering the loot, many of the runners were still enjoying all the great food. There was bread and pastry from Panera, Crispy Creme donuts, bagels galore from Einsteins, shell'em yourself peanuts from Five Guys Hamburgers, coffee from Starbucks, as well as bottled water and fresh oranges and bananas. Then came the call for the random awards. There were at least fifty and they included restaurant coupons from Jerry's, Grevey's, Kilroy's, and Fuddruckers. There were also many other prizes such as three month gym membership, Bed, Bath & Beyond awards to name a few.

The race had plenty of parking and the course was well marked with timers at the accurate mile markers. Before the 8:30 am race started, runners waited inside the school with ample facilities for all. Of course, the weather cooperated so well that outside was great too.

The race started with Congressman Davis tooting an air horn and racers blasted on down Four Year Run past the track and the high school. The half-mile downhill start made it easy to get warmed up for the returning hills. Circling right and back to the start and halfway through the race, runners again crossed the starting line with the band pumping out music. This time at the bottom of the hill, runners turned left and then circled back around. Charging up past the starting line again and curling onto the track made for an ideal finishing kick.

All three years the winner has been a teen. This year it was Bryan Plunkett (18) of Annandale (in photo) who won easily in 17:51. Grandmaster Norton Compton (52) of Fairfax, VA had held back early pacing with his friend Gary Grimsley (52) of Springfield, VA. Grimsley is still coming back from a slow winter and would end up seventh in 19:08. Meanwhile, Compton would hear the footsteps of Tom Cook (48) of Chantilly, VA. Cook noted that a lot of the younger runners tend to flame out after a fast start. He had finished second overall the first year in 18:35. This year his 18:39 time was good enough for third overall as Compton jetted past a dozen or so teens for the runner-up spot in 18:24.

For the women, Grimsley had thought that Mesre McKennen (21) of Annandale, VA was the favorite. She started out at a nice 6:00 pace but slowed on the hills taking second in 20:42. Overall female winner Martha Merz (44) of Annandlae, VA (in photo) continued her rampage of 2007 finishing third overall on the heels of Compton. Not even a fluke, as she had just finishing racing a close to 6:00 pace at St. Patrick's Day 8K, Cherry Blossom 10M, GW Parkway 10M and a excellent 37:22 at Pike's Peek. Elaine Twigg (17) of Falls Church, VA was third.

If you want to run a fast, entertaining, well managed race that has kept its entry from going up, this is the race for you. The prizes for nearly everyone and the abundant food are more icing on the cake.

Top Ten Finishers

Top Male Finishers
1. Bryan Plunkett, 18    Annandale, VA   17:51
2. Norton Compton, 52    Fairfax VA      18:24
3. Tom Cook, 48          Chantilly VA    18:39
4. Eric Grettens, 33     Washington DC   18:55
5. Jefrey Wilkins, 18    Annandale, VA   18:56
6. Duane Williamson, 45  Warrenton, VA   19:08
7. Gary Grimsley, 52     Springfield VA  19:21
8. Brian Burk, 20        Annandale, VA   19:45
9. Scott Nelson, 28      Annandale, VA   20:11
10. Jim Noone, 62        Fairfax, VA     20:16
Top Female Finishers
1. Martha Merz, 44       Annandale, VA   18:33
2. Mesre McKennen, 21    Annandale, VA   20:42
3. Elaine Twigg, 17      Falls Church VA 22:16
4. Becca Grimsley, 16    Springfield, VA 23:16
5. Brigid McEvilly, 24   Springfield VA  24:05
6. Rachael Allsheuss, 10 Annandale, VA   24:53
7. Virginia Garney, 50   Alexandria, VA  25:19
8. Hannah Tubb, 19       Annandale, VA   25:23
9. Lien Vu, 16           Annandale, VA   25:23
10. Gina Welc, 42        Annandale, VA   25:30

Race Report
Photo Gallery 2007
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