"Ed took it out quick, he looked good. I thought at mile three that I could catch him. I have been doing distance training," said defending champion Chris Banks of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Banks was making reference to the 27th D.C. Road Runners Turkey Trot 5-Miler, November 28, 20002 (Alexandria, Va.). Banks was the runner up in 2000 (25:02) and was the winner last year (24:23). At the Twin Cities Marathon last September, Banks placed 13th in 2:21:57. The contender for the title was Edmund Burke of Burtonsville, Md. Burke was fourth in 1997 (25:03). The two run for the Georgetown Running Company.

The certified out and back course started and finished at Cora Kelley School. The course was through the neighborhood of the Del Ray section of Alexandria. In the first year there were 410 runners with Bruce Robinson of the Washington Running Club finishing first in 24:38. Jennifer White of the Washington RunHers was the first female in 30:36. The tradition still lives on. There were 1900 registered runners with 1300 signing up just before the race.

There were no return female winners. The two-time masters division winner, Gretchen Triantos of Rockville, Md., was back top defend her title from last year (30:19). She ran 29:29 in 1999 and was fourth overall. In 1994 Triantos placed third (29:40).

It was a quick start as four runners took the lead, Banks, Burke, Nick Gramsky of McLean, Va., and Eric Keene of Washington. All four run for the Georgetown Running Company. Burke was pushing the pace and took control going into the first mile along Commonwealth Avenue in 4:48. Banks was a couple of paces back; within contact was Gramsky and Keene.

Going into the second mile (9:45), Burke maintained the lead with a 10-meter gap and Gramsky and Keene had both fallen off the pace. After the first mile there were a couple of sharp turns, Burke extended the lead going into the third mile (14:38). Banks was 25 meters back while Gramsky and Keene were over a half mile back and no longer a threat.

A trio of women took off quickly. Dana Coons of Charlottesville, Va. (photo left, by Alan Penberg), the assistant coach at the University of Virginia, where she graduated in May 2002, was in the lead. At the Anheuser- Busch Colonial Half Marathon, Coons placed second in 1:17:24. Also in the lead pack were Danielle Trelles-Russell of Team Brooks (Arlington, Va.), and Meghan McLaughlin of Alexandria, Va. McLaughlin has been racing against Coons since high school and raced against Trelles-Russell last month at the 3M 5K: Racing To Save Lives. At that race, it was Trelles-Russell 17:55 to 18:14. Coons went through the first mile in 5:34 with McLaughlin and Trelles-Russell trailing within seconds.

Into the fourth mile, Burke had a solid lead with 19:32 and Banks followed in 19:39. The gap soon began to widen as Burke began to pick up the pace. Burke went on to win in 24:25. The open record was set in 1991 by Mark Luevano at 23:54. Banks was second in 24:40 followed by Gramsky in 24:57 and Keene in fourth in 25:03. It was a clean sweep by the Georgetown Running Company.

"The plan was to keep it at 4:50 the entire way, and having Chris behind me helped. I didn't expect to finish in the top three. I felt strong going to the finish line. I think I'm in good shape and the training is going well. It feels great," said Burke.

Coons put the hammer down after the first mile and went unchallenged to finish in a record setting time of 27:47. The old record of 27:52 was set in 2000 by Alisa Harvey of Manassas, Va., and tied last year by Cathy Pugsley of Annandale, Va. In the history of the race there have been three females who have run under 28 minutes.

"I tried to win; it was a gradual pull away. I was concerned they would come back on me. It feels pretty good to win. It's consistent miles each week that is the key for me. I am doing 75 miles per week. I don't think I am speedy. I get my confidence from the miles," said Coons.

In racing 101, unless you are last, there is always someone behind you. It was a close race for second and third as Trelles- Russell made the last turn into the parking lot with about 75 meters to the finish as McLaughlin slipped up at full speed and eased by right before the finish to take second in 29:15 to 29:17.

"I felt good and I didn't expect too much and I didn't have a strategy. You should never underestimate at the start of a race no matter who is there. Danielle was right in front of me and I started to work on catching her. At mile three I didn't think I could. The road races are less stressful than college. I am having fun," said McLaughlin.

"I didn't realize that she (Meghan) was that close on me. Dana had five yards on me at the first mile and then she was gone. I woke up this morning all fired up and was excited about the race. In this area there are many good women athletes. You know that on any given day any girl can snap it up from you. It was her day," said Trelles-Russell.

Gretchen Triantos was fourth in 31:09 to take her third masters title. The second master was Betty Blank of Falls Church, Va., in 33:05 (9th place). Blank was ninth last year in 33:06, fourth master, and first in the age group 45-49.

The winning male in the masters division was Greg Langer of Arlington, Va., in 29:54 (13th place). Ed Nannahorn of Team Pacers of Old Town Alexandria was second in 30:15 (16th place).

The race was conducted by the D.C. Road Runners Club with sponsorship from the City of Alexandria and the West Potomac Business Association and the support of numerous volunteers.

See the top ten men and women finishers. Complete results will be posted when available on the Washington Running Report Results page.