Quantico Half-Marathon
The Quantico Half-Marathon is an event that has grown in seven years from less than 400 runners to 1,100 registered participants. Held at the Marine Corps Base, the event serves as one of the area's final tune-up distance races for the Marine Corps Marathon.

The race started and finished at Larson Gym. The course had two demanding hills near miles four and seven. The entire race was run on the military base. The rising temperature along with the humidity added a challenge for the runners and race organizers.

Race favorite Rob Adams of Quantico, Virginia, was coming off of a 16th place, 30:47 finish at the Great Race 10K in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 29. In 1997, Adams placed second at Quantico in 1:11:55 and was the winner last year in 1:09:02.

The leaders going out were Adams; teammate Mondo Tijerina of Quantico, who was the runner up in 2000 with a 1:10:32; and Joe Racine of Alexandria, Virginia, the runner up last year in 1:12:04.

Adams was able to weather the heat and the competition to land a successful defense of his title with a 1:13:08. It was down to Tijerina and Racine for second place. Tijerina proved to be the stronger runner and captured second in 1:13:52 to Racine's 1:14:14.

Two of the fastest times ever were run by two-time winner Liz Boyer of Triangle, Virginia, in 1:21:36 (2001) and 1:19:13 (2000). There were no returning female winners this year, however. Making an early move to take the lead was Lisa Thomas of Alexandria, Virginia, making her debut at Quantico. Once Thomas had gained control she went on to win in 1:28:06. Mary Kate Bailey was second in 1:28:26 followed by Diane Hevahan of Alexandria, Virginia, in 1:29:47.

The top masters were James Dunn in 1:27:16 and Tammy Rall of Stafford, Virginia, in 1:38:30.

The race was presented by the Semper Fit Physical Fitness Department of Marine Corps Community Services with sponsorship from Lift Fitness, First Command, Gatorade, Days Inn Aquia, Aquafina, Geico and New Balance.

Top Open and Masters Finishers

Top Males
1 Rob Adams          32    1:13:08    Quantico, VA
2 Mondo Tijerina     32    1:13:52    Quantico, VA
3 Joe Racine         24    1:14:14    Arlington, VA


Top Females
1 Lisa Thomas        26    1:28:06    Alexandria, VA
2 Mary Kate Bailey   27    1:28:26
3 Diane Hevehan      30    1:29:47    Alexandria, VA


Top Masters - Males
1 James Dunn         42    1:27:16
2 Paul Sandy         42    1:31:25    Bolling AFB, DC
3 Bill Ayers         46    1:31:53    Stafford, VA


Top Masters - Females
1 Tammy Rall         40    1:38:30    Stafford, VA
2 Ofelia Perotti     46    1:39:20
3 Carol Housaman     42    1:41:44    Woodbridge, VA

Full results to be posted at http://www.quantico.usmc-mccs.org.