This race, long known for its generous random awards, added prize money for the overall winners several years ago. Top runners from around the region stop by Ashburn, Virginia on their fall circuit of races and challenge the local talent. This year, 31-year-old Aurelio Handanga drove south from Baltimore, Maryland, to claim the top spot, beating Arlington's Michael Wardian (30) by 33 seconds (23:57 to 24:30). Rick Rountree (26) of Reston, Virginia (photo left) was third in 24:54.

The first masters division finisher was Jean-Christophe Arcaz (43) of Rockville, Maryland. His time of 27:45 was good for sixth overall. He was followed quickly by George Buckheit (47) of Reston in 28:08 and Mark Jones (42) of Fairfax in 29:10 (7th and 8th, respectively).

In the women's division, Washington, DC's Sharon Lemberger outpaced the competition, besting Alisa Harvey of Manassas by one minute eleven seconds (28:08 to 29:19), and Lisa Thomas of Alexandria (photo left; 29:44). Centreville's Laura Freix (43) headed up the women's masters division, and her 30:29 put her in fifth place and firmly ahead of Julie Hayden (44) of Ashburn (32:07). Ari Orr (42) of Arlington was the third masters division finisher, running 32:19.

The top three overall male and female finishers earned $300, $200, and $100 for their efforts.

The 13th annual Van Metre 5-Mile Run for Children's Hospital took place in the Broadlands subdivision of Ashburn on a beautiful fall morning. Residents of the neighborhood joined area runners for a 5-mile race or one-mile fun run through the streets and bike trails of Broadlands. Over the years, the event has raised more than $1.2 million for Children's Hospital through the generosity of the Van Metre Companies and its associates.

In the age group competition, Lindsay Goulet (26) of Arlington, Virginia (photo) finished first in the 20-29 division, just ahead of Milligan Grinstead (also 26) of Alexandria (29:48 to 31:06). Thirty-year-old Peter Vail of Washington, DC was 3:41 ahead of all the other 30-39 year-olds, finishing in 25:34. Mark Hand of Washington, DC was second. Surprisingly, there were no females in the 60-69 or 70 and up divisions. For the men, veteran racer Larry Dickerson of Burke, Virginia ran an 8:17 pace for a 41:07 finish and first in the 70 and up category.

Following the race, participants and spectators sat on the hill, cheering for the award winners, and patiently awaiting the random drawings at the end of the event. Hillside Park in the Broadlands forms a natural amphitheater, and participants had a great view of the ceremony. Those who have run this race before know about the huge array of prizes that are given away at the end of the awards ceremony, with an emphasis on value and special treats for the kids. More than two hours after the start of the race, the crowd was still sitting on the hillside, and race director Rick Rabil was still calling bib numbers and awarding fantastic prizes such as Redskins tickets, weekend at Wintergreen Resort, TVs, store and restaurant gift certificates, and toys galore.

Award Winners

FEMALE OVERALL
Place Num   Name                    Age City                      Time  
===== ===== ======================= === ========================= ===== 
    1   353 Sharon Lemberger         31 Washington DC             28:08 
    2     7 Alisa Harvey             39 Manassas VA               29:19 
    3   380 Lisa Thomas              28 Alexandria VA             29:44 


MALE OVERALL
Place Num   Name                    Age City                      Time  
===== ===== ======================= === ========================= ===== 
    1    10 Aurelio Handanga         31 Baltimore MD              23:57 
    2     8 Michael Wardian          30 Arlington VA              24:30 
    3   355 Rick Roundtree           26 Reston VA                 24:54 


FEMALE AGE GROUP:  1 - 19
    1   151 Annalisa Culbert         14 Fairfax VA                38:30 
    2   130 Elizabeth Raggio         17 Sterling VA               39:53 


MALE AGE GROUP:  1 - 19
    1   152 Drew Frederick           19 Princeton NJ              30:42 
    2   214 Matthew Ammann           10 Vienna VA                 41:07 


FEMALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 29
    1   275 Lindsay Goulet           26 Arlington VA              29:48 
    2   386 Milligan Grinstead       26 Alexandria VA             31:06 


MALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 29
    1   363 Michael Christmun        26 Washington DC             25:19 
    2    91 Matt Brownlee            22 Sterling VA               29:59 


FEMALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 39
    1   354 Maria Kozloski           39 Washington DC             32:11 
    2   298 Sonya Brown              33 Ashburn VA                33:05 


MALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 39
    1   373 Peter Vail               30 Washington DC             25:34 
    2   415 Mark Hand                37 Arlington VA              29:15 


FEMALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 49
    1     9 Laura Freix              43 Centreville VA            30:28 
    2   173 Julie Hayden             44 Ashburn VA                32:03 


MALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 49
    1   385 Jean-Christophe Arcaz    43 Rockville MD              27:44 
    2   382 George Buckheit          47 Reston VA                 28:07 


FEMALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 59
    1   412 Stephanie Shipp          51 Great Falls VA            35:37 
    2    79 Donna Lund               53 Ashburn VA                36:38 


MALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 59
    1   196 Tim Doescher             54 Herndon VA                29:37 
    2   368 Michael Gibby            58 Mclean VA                 30:46 


FEMALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 69


MALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 69
    1   413 Talbot Mack              64 Middleburg VA             36:24 
    2   403 Bob Imming               64 Middletown MD             37:38 


FEMALE AGE GROUP:  70 - 98


MALE AGE GROUP:  70 - 98
    1   169 Larry Dickerson          73 Burke VA                  41:07 
    2   362 Jim Hufford              70                           42:23 

See complete results of the Van Metre 5-Mile Run for Children's Hospital.

Visit the race Web site for more information about this event, including photos and results of past races.

Look at the Photo Gallery.