We were mugged! Certainly we were battered "cents"less by the oil companies. But no, today in Sterling, VA, we began the traditional phasing in of the hot, muggy summer that begins with regularity coinciding with the Memorial Day Weekend. This gem of a race has helped ring in that onslaught for five years now. This year with the mercury rising to ninety, times were due to slow down like an eighteen wheeler driving up a mountain road.

The course starts with a wonderful tribute to the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company (Charity Beneficiary) with two ladder trucks forming an arch with Old Glory centered between them. RAY was there to carry a smaller version throughout the race as he has done for scores of races in the last few years. Even with the muggy weather this growing race had as many signups as ever for the 10K and the 9-1-1 fun run. The six hundred and sixty finishers is the second highest total.

There were four new course records set this year. Richard Williams (71) of Alexandria, VA brought his entourage with him as he dismantled Terry McCarthy 70-74 record. Williams ran 50:18. Charles Day (76) of Potomac Falls, VA refined his own record from last year to 1:04:10, taking more than a minute off. Bob Atkins (81) of Winchester, VA ran 1:25:38 to set the standard for his decade.

Cathy Pugsley (38) of Sterling, VA had the second fastest sub masters time from 2005 with 39:22 and a second overall finish. (Race winner Alisa Harvey in 2003 has the record with 37:41). Last year Pugsley slipped a mere four seconds to 39:26 and ended up third. This year her smile at the start told the story. She was going after the win and a maybe a new record as well.

She ran in no man's land with third place Samantha Kirby (38) of Arlington, VA a quarter mile back and Margie Shapiro (30) of Herndon, VA (in photo) a tempting mirage about two hundred and fifty meters in front of her. The second loop of the course is shorter but by then the warm sun had melted the cloud cover away. The second climb up the hill in the last mile gave little chance to make up the distance. Still, she improved to a better course time of 38:57.

Shapiro finished in 37:43 and the third fastest time ever. Last year's race was down to the wire with five runners under forty minutes and the top two just seconds apart. This year was more a runaway like the first three years.

For the men, CW Moran had a runaway in 2004 by three minutes, then he ramped up his 32:34 finish to 30:40 the next year yet lost by less than a second to course record holder Philippe Rolly, also in 30:40. Last year Ray Pugsley (37) of Sterling, VA won by a minute, setting the sub masters record with 33:29. This year he battled mightily but lost both of his crowns. Jorge Pardo (38) visiting from Brooklyn, NY (in photo) took both with a fine 33:21 victory. Pugsley was runner-up in 34:01 for the eighth fastest time ever.

One of the great things about a loop, double loop course such as this is that spectators were never far from the runners. Just before two miles and right at five miles just a hundred yards from the start, well wishers could help runners mount the hill. Again at 3.5 miles on the other side of this little island, (aptly named Lowes Island Community Center) just in front of the start/finish line, runners flew down the hill gearing up for the second loop. Again at the finish with a final downhill quarter mile, runners could treat their audience with some fast, exciting finishes.

No race is ever finished until the awards are given out. While the runners waited for the announcements, a cheerful staff of volunteers provided them with great vittles. Especially on a hot morning bottled water came first. Listening to sounds from WMZQ 98.7, Today's Best Country, finishers gathered around for dessert first ice cream from Turkey Hill and smoothies. Then further back was the chuck wagon from the Outback with seasoned steaks and steamed vegetables. Makes you feel virtuous enough to go get another ice cream before you go.

Fifth place Jean-Christophe Arcaz (46) of Rockville, MD was the masters champion in 36:09. For the women, Kristin Didomenico (40) of Sterling, VA (in photo) was one place higher winning masters in 41:37. New to the division, Bruce Halpin (50) of Ashburn, VA started at the top, winning in 39:42 for the second fastest time for that division. The record was set by that Chuck Moeser - record killer with 34:04 in 2003. Moeser, now fifty-five, promises to take down some national records this year as well.

Meanwhile, senior runner (60-69) Jim Noone of Fairfax, VA was mingling with the 50-54 crowd. Just before four miles he cruised by 2004 grandmaster winner James Moreland. Moreland, who was one for one with Ken Krehbiel (53) of Washington, DC (winner in 2005), was trying to find the energy to gap the twenty seconds Krehbiel enjoyed then. By five miles, Noone had nearly covered that same gap and Moreland was still climbing the hill.

Last year's fourth 50-54 finisher Gary Harvey of Vienna, VA made his move easing by Moreland. Then he roared down the hill that started the final mile setting up for the final quarter mile charge. (In past years, runners were treated to a tower of water spraying from an uncorked fire hydrant there). He passed Noone on the tough hill and like a heat seeking missile fired off from mile six to catch and pass Krehbiel for the second spot. Noone with a three minute gap in his division used the guys in their forties and fifties to hone his 43:29 age group time.

Back in 2005, Karen Dickerson (21) of Springfield, VA (in photo) was eighth overall and the top teen. Last year she struggled through the race. This year she rebounded and kicked off the first mile in 6:20. Then the heat started to drain her a little and she faltered a little on the last hill. She recovered nicely and jetted down to the finish once again eighth overall and the top running in the twenties. Her time of 44:00 was nearly as fast as her first victory (43:44) and on a much more climate-challenged day.

The five year race continues to grow because runners appreciate well marked courses, with cheerful course marshals. There really enjoy music and great food to enjoy after the race and five year age groups three deep as well as random prizes, gives everyone a decent chance to bring souvenir. The race is just thirty minutes west of Washington, DC and about the same from Montgomery County. Plan to be there next year for the sixth running of the Cascades Firechase 10K race.

Awards Listing (No Duplicate Prizes)

OVERALL MALE  (GUN TIME)
Place Num   Name     Lname      Age City                  Time    
===== ===== =================== === ===================== ======= 
    1   767 Jorge Pardo          38 Brooklyn NY             33:21 
    2     1 Ray Pugsley          38 Sterling VA             34:01 
    3   606 Max Werner           18 Sterling VA             35:41 
OVERALL FEMALE  (GUN TIME)
Place Num   Name     Lname      Age City                  Time    
===== ===== =================== === ===================== ======= 
    1     3 Margie Shapiro       30 Herndon VA              37:43 
    2     2 Cathy Pugsley        38 Sterling VA             38:57 
    3   698 Samantha Kirby       38 Arlington VA            40:28 
MALE AGE GROUP:  1 - 19   (NET TIME)
    1   482 Andrew Clark        18 Sterling VA             39:23 
    2   617 Anthony Phillips    19 Sterling VA             39:36 
    3   423 Andrew Mott         16 Potomac Falls VA        40:01 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  1 - 19   (NET TIME)
    1   729 Hana Baktash        12 Sterling VA             46:15 
    2   514 Sinead Gilmore      16 Sterling VA             50:57 
    3   718 Suzanne Rodgers     15 Sterling VA             51:09 
MALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 24   (NET TIME)
    1   690 Andrew Neils        21 Manhattan               36:06 
    2   635 Seth Flory          24 Falls Church VA         39:14 
    3   476 Vincent Frasure     20 Alexandria VA           42:41 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 24   (NET TIME)
    1   265 Karen Dickerson     21 Springfield VA          43:59 
    2   328 Emily Trycinski     22 College Park MD         46:03 
    3   320 Mary Butler         24 Ashburn VA              47:19 
MALE AGE GROUP:  25 - 29   (NET TIME)
    1   483 Edward Patterson    25 Savannah GA             45:17 
    2   772 Brian Luhman        25 Sterling VA             47:01 
    3   362 Bradley Holzwart    26 Fairfax VA              47:31 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  25 - 29   (NET TIME)
    1   543 Mary Smith          25 Potomac Falls VA        45:40 
    2   626 Lauren Youngs       28 Sterling VA             47:05 
    3   769 Kelly King          26 Birmingham AL           47:19 
MALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 34   (NET TIME)
    1   719 John Ausena         34 Greenbelt MD            38:09 
    2   176 Paul Campbell       33 Saint Leonard MD        38:47 
    3   595 Robert Osterried    34 Sterling VA             38:58 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 34   (NET TIME)
    1   285 Jacqueline McKay    34 South Riding VA         42:15 
    2   458 Gillian Kalaris     31 Ashburn VA              45:56 
    3   235 Louise Profit       31 Potomac Falls VA        46:16 
MALE AGE GROUP:  35 - 39   (NET TIME)
    1   532 William Sutherlin   37 Sterling VA             39:21 
    2   274 Tom Heinemann       37 Arlington VA            39:26 
    3   179 Tom Burgum          36 Leesburg VA             40:02 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  35 - 39   (NET TIME)
    1   601 Jennifer Van Den Be 37 Sterling VA             42:11 
    2   669 Kelly Patrick       36 Ashburn VA              46:54 
    3   333 Debbie Davis        37 Sterling VA             47:10 
MALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 44   (NET TIME)
    1   570 Theo Haast          40 Leesburg VA             37:51 
    2   577 Ulrich Mallwitz     41 Sterling VA             38:49 
    3  1436 Tom Steinbach       41 Sterling VA             40:07 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 44   (NET TIME)
    1     5 Kristin Didomenico  40 Sterling VA             41:35 
    2   753 Anita Freres        42 Reston VA               43:00 
    3   430 Liz Camire          42 Leesburg VA             45:18 
MALE AGE GROUP:  45 - 49   (NET TIME)
    1  1433 Jean-Christophe Arc 46 Rockville MD            36:07 
    2   478 Martin Calhoun      45 Herndon VA              36:50 
    3   715 Tom Cook            47 Chantilly VA            39:31 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  45 - 49   (NET TIME)
    1   448 Debbie Daughtry     49 Clifton VA              47:41 
    2   434 Lauren Gould        46 Sterling VA             52:56 
    3   198 Jacqueline Ong      46 Reston VA               55:05 
MALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 54   (NET TIME)
    1   672 Bruce Halpin        50 Ashburn VA              39:40 
    2    76 Gary Harvey         52 Vienna VA               43:16 
    3    25 Ken Krehbiel        53 Washington DC           43:18 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 54   (NET TIME)
    1   230 Wendy Everett       50 Sterling VA             53:37 
    2   161 Stephanie Danahy    50 Fairfax Station VA      54:27 
    3   170 Anna Vandyke        50 Great Falls VA          57:01 
MALE AGE GROUP:  55 - 59   (NET TIME)
    1   563 Steven Slezicki     59 Sterling VA             48:09 
    2   316 Bill Koetter        58 Ashburn VA              48:33 
    3   256 William Hiatt       56 Reston VA               51:34 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  55 - 59   (NET TIME)
    1    32 Jane Poole          59 Washington DC           51:11 
    2   523 Freyda Greenberg    58 Falls Church VA         51:26 
    3    60 Mary Proctor        58 Reston VA               59:53 
MALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 64   (NET TIME)
    1   446 Jim Noone           62 Fairfax VA              43:25 
    2   420 Ted Baca            61 Arlington VA            46:38 
    3   232 Stephen Smith       64 Reston VA               54:22 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 64   (NET TIME)
    1    48 Pat Welch           62 Vienna VA               57:23 
    2   770 Fedeje Regan        62 Sterling VA           1:21:30 
MALE AGE GROUP:  65 - 69   (NET TIME)
    1   445 Dean Riley          66 Bedford NH              47:33 
    2   651 Stephen Forman      66 McLean VA               48:06 
    3   486 Takanori Hishikawa  66 Vienna VA               54:05 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  65 - 69   (NET TIME)
    1   384 Bunny Runyan        66 Potomac Falls VA      1:19:16 
MALE AGE GROUP:  70 - 99   (NET TIME)
    1    33 Richard Williams    71 Alexandria VA           50:15 
    2    52 Alan Rider          71 Reston VA               55:04 
    3   383 Leo Wyne            70 Falls Church VA         57:31 
FEMALE AGE GROUP:  70 - 99   (NET TIME)

Full Race Day Results
Course Records
Race Report
Photo Gallery 2007
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