Those who were second shall be first, and those who were first, second. And so it came to pass at the Kensington 8K, which features the main event, a two-mile challenge [photo of start] and 1K fun run, all with a small-town feel that John Cougar Mellencamp would envy.

As for the second to first business, that would be this year's winner, last year's runner-up, Cindy Conant (45), a Kensington resident who outpaced all of her neighbors, friends, and out-of- towners, running 32 minutes 53 seconds. Conant breezed through the final quarter mile on Armory Avenue past her own house and the town hall to the finish line. [Editor's note: Conant's time was the fourth sub 33:00 time for the distance this year for 45-49 women. Win Persina has the top time so far with 32:16 at the Germantown 5-miler].

"I love this race," said Conant, whose son and husband also ran; two more sons watched. After finishing, Conant got busy with her race volunteer duties.

And last year's men's winner, Kareem Lanier (33) from Lincoln University, PA yielded his title to Michael Wardian (32), from Arlington, VA who won in 25:34. Wardian, a new father just nine weeks earlier, ran unchallenged from the start. Lanier took second in 27:02.

"I wish I could have given him a little competition," Lanier said. "But it's always good to get out and run. This is my place, running."

Lanier held off a strong challenge from Max Lockwood (36), from Washington, DC who came from behind at halfway and ran with Lanier to the four mile mark. But as anyone who has run the Kensington event knows, the last mile includes a short but steep and taxing hill. Lanier certainly knew, and just as Lockwood drew even, Lanier put forth an extra effort and pulled away. Lockwood finished third in 27:07.

Kara Cosgrove (36), from Kensington, finished second among the women in 34:37, and Amelia Ingersoll (43), from Columbia, took third in 34:56.

Jeannette Lussi (43), from Kensington was the top women's master not in the top three, and she was followed by Judy Lyons (41) and Suzette Bradbury (44), both from - where else, Kensington.

Mark Hoon (41), from Kensington, finished fourth overall in 27:31 and was first among the men's masters runners.

Barbara Wendell (63) from Annapolis, MD was the oldest women's finisher in 52:52, and the venerable Nianxiang Xie (79) from Rockville took the men's honor in 48:00.

With civic pride running so high (not to mention long), and with the primary just behind but the general election only weeks away, local politicians were out in force. U.S. representative Chris Van Hollen pounded the pavement, literally and figuratively, while other state politicians were satisfied to simply press the flesh.

A fine turnout of more than 500 runners, walkers, and fun runners provided ample opportunity for the pols to work their magic - in Kensington.

Full Race Day Results