"25 miles from home, my feet are hurting mighty bad," Edwinn Starr, 1968

Three big marathons, nine half marathons and a couple metric marathons made for a lot of miles and a lot of runners. Even with the largest 10 miler in the world, Army, getting turned into a fun run, new record numbers of runners came out to play. Each week on our Web site we publish an updated listing of the Best of 2005. As the year comes to an end, every week has produced a new best time of the year. Prolific runner Jon Palks has more than kept pace with all the 5Ks. There were 123 used in this ranking period. Palks has run more than 135, expecting to crack 150 by year's end. While the ten mile distance only produced five races, the 10K produced 20, including the Veterans Day 10K with more than four times the finishers of any other 10K.

More than 2700 ranked times were recorded among the nearly 80,000 runners who raced in the more than 200 races used. More than 1600 different runners ran a qualifying time. Bucking the recent trend, men had 25% more with 1500 vs. the women's 1200. Again, the women's open division was the biggest division, with 55 women running 234 qualifying times. While the sub masters seemed a little light, as always, the divisions from ages 40-64 were packed full with fast times.

Susannah Kvasnicka added another notch to her belt, winning the biggest race of the period, the Marine Corps Marathon. There were 26 Major races (500 or more runners).

Again, the 8K led all races with qualifiers. In Richmond, the nTelos 8K had 115 of the total 176 ranked times, while the marathon had 61 times. The Marine Corps Marathon was next with 93 times out of a massive 19,097 finishers. The Veterans Day 10K used a fast course on a perfect day to select 91 ranked times out of 1221 finishers. While only those four races had more than fifty qualifying times, twenty races had more than 30 qualifiers and 45 had 20 or more.

Runners who win the race or win their division in a race earn an asterisk beside their name. In the Open division, the asterisk is for overall wins only. The Speed Alone, reported at the beginning of each section, is the fastest qualifying time run for each division. In red, it means the division champion ran it. In all of the races, 3.27% of the finishers were ranked runners.

The Moreland Racing Factor is used to evaluate runners, especially close calls where time alone cannot be used. The Moreland Racing Factor is based on the best five races of the period. The Runner Rankings will still have the same requirements of two qualifying races. All the other criteria will still apply. What this new MRF will do is give a number to the racing effort. Runners' MRF scores are reported in parentheses next to their names. Just as with the quarterback rating in the NFL it will be loosely based on 100 points (150 with major races) with the premium coming from runners beaten either in the open division or in the age division. Runners earn points on their best races in a period based on the qualifiers below. A runner who wins five races of five different distances would earn a perfect score of one hundred points. *Additional points can be earned by prevailing over your competition in the same races or by qualifying in more than five races (especially major races).

Women's Summer 2005 Rankings.

Men's Summer 2005 Rankings.

Moreland Racing Factor Points

Category          	Points	Major	Best case	Major
Overall Winner    	10	15	50        	75
2nd overall       	8	12		
3rd overall     	6	10		
				
1st AG          	5	8	25       	50
2nd AG           	3	5		
3rtd AG           	2	3		
Fastest @ a distance	3	3	15*      	15*
Qualified Runner	1	1	5*         	5*
Major Race       	1	1	5*         	5*
Each Ranked Runner beaten 1	1		
Total			100	150

Runner Rankings Explained: How It is Calculated
The goal of the runner rankings is to rank the best runners of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, in five-year age groups, for the purpose of stimulating competition in the Washington region. Runners are ranked only according to performances in rated races. To be rated, a race must meet the following criteria:

-- Take place in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia
-- Full results listed on the Washington Running Report Web site
-- Must list age (and preferably also city and state of residence) of all runners
-- Standard distance: 5K, 4-mile, 8K, 10K, 12K, 15K, 10-mile, 20K, Half Marathon, 25K, 30K, 20-mile, or Marathon
-- Road race or cross-country

To be included, a race must meet all of the above criteria. There will be no exceptions. If you place well in a race and want it included in the rankings, be sure to ask the race director to e-mail the complete results to the Washington Running Report at office@runwashington.com so the race can be posted on the WRR Web site and counted in the runner rankings.

Runners will be ranked by age divisions for both men and women, with the divisions being open, 19 & under, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 and over.

The rankings are established using a nearly completely objective rating procedure. A preliminary sort, followed by an intensive analysis of competitive results, forms the rankings. The preliminary sort is based on number of qualifying marks and best times. The final ranking is based on head-to-head competitive results against the other top placers (50%), with time playing a major but secondary role (40%). Our general philosophy is that competition is about beating other runners, and we intend to place an increased emphasis on competitive results.

To qualify for the end-of-year rankings, top priority will go to runners who qualify in two ranking periods. A preliminary sort, followed by a more involved analysis of competitive results, also forms these rankings. The preliminary sort is based on seasonal rankings and best times. The final ranking is again based on head-to-head competitive results, with time playing a secondary role, though at times a deciding role. One special race can at times put a runner over the top, though consistency is a valued asset.

Qualifying times are set in each age division for the 10K, and then adjusted for other distances. I believe in a constant time so that, while a runner may not make the top ten, he or she may consider himself or herself a ranked runner. My primary concern is that of believability. There should be few surprises. Competitiveness will always find a few disputes. Most runners know whom they can best and who remains unbeatable. The rankings should fairly reflect that. If you have comments and questions or would like to get a more complete explanation of individual rankings contact James Moreland at james@runwashington.com.

Winter 2006 Qualifying Standards for the 10K

Age Group	     Men	     Women
Open		    34:20	     41:15
19 & Younger	    38:20	     46:05
35-39		    36:40	     44:10
40-44		    38:20	     46:05
45-49		    39:45	     48:45
50-54		    42:00	     51:45
55-59		    43:55	     54:30
60-64		    49:45	     62:05
65-69		    52:50	     75:00
70-74		    56:20	     89:40
75-79		  1:32:30	   1:39:00
80 & Up 	  1:45:00          1:50:00

The ranking periods for the remainder of the 2005 ranking year are:

Best of 2005, reported March-April '06

And the ranking periods for 2006 are:

Winter Runner Rankings, November 21 to March 11, 2006, reported May-June '06

Spring Runner Rankings, March 12, 2006 through May 21, 2006, reported July-August '06

Summer Runner Rankings, May 22 through September 4, reported November-December '06

Fall Runner Rankings, September 5 through November 19, reported January-February '07

Autumn 2005 Ranked Races

Bolded races are Major races.
Event             	Location           	Date
Hampton Bay Days 10K	Hampton, VA     	10-Sep-05
Run with the Chiefs 8K 	Norfolk, VA     	10-Sep-05
National Press Club 5K	Washington, DC    	10-Sep-05
Arlington 9-11 5K	Arlington, VA    	10-Sep-05
Reveille 5K       	Richmond, VA     	10-Sep-05
Pepsi 10K         	Charlottesville, VA	10-Sep-05
Great Frederick Fair 5K	Frederick, MD    	10-Sep-05
Franklin Commty Bank 5K	Rocky Mount, VA 	10-Sep-05
Poolesville Day 5K	Poolesville, MD 	10-Sep-05
Danville Half Marathon	Danville, VA     	10-Sep-05
River City 5K    	Danville, VA     	10-Sep-05
Fair Lakes 8K    	Fairfax, VA      	11-Sep-05
StJoseph Run to Remember 5K Baltimore, MD	11-Sep-05
Franco's LakesideAve 5K Richmond, VA     	11-Sep-05
HCS Longfellow    	Columbia, MD     	11-Sep-05
B&A Trail 10K     	Glen Burnie, MD 	11-Sep-05
Larchmont Rat Race 5K	Norfolk, VA     	16-Sep-05
Petrucelli 5K Run	Solomons, MD      	16-Sep-05
Kensington 8K     	Kensington, MD    	17-Sep-05
FSC WDF 5K        	Jefferson, MD     	17-Sep-05
Nelson Automotive 5k	Stanleytown, VA 	17-Sep-05
Run for Holiday House5K	Portsmouth, VA    	17-Sep-05
Rocks 5 Miler     	Burke, VA       	17-Sep-05
Police Pace 5K    	Columbia, MD      	17-Sep-05
Kings Charter 8K	Richmond, VA    	17-Sep-05
Laurel 5K         	Laurel, MD        	17-Sep-05
Bluemont 10K      	Bluemont, VA      	17-Sep-05
Mountain City 5K	Frostburg, MD     	17-Sep-05
Oyster Point 5K 	Newport News, VA	17-Sep-05
O.Winston Link Meml 10K Green Cove, VA    	17-Sep-05
Gulf Coast Relief 5K    Alexandria, VA    	17-Sep-05
Midlothian Blaze 5K	Midlothian, VA    	18-Sep-05
PVI Runfest 5K    	Fairfax, VA       	18-Sep-05
Jones Falls 5M Runoff	Baltimore, MD   	18-Sep-05
Gulf Coast Relief 10M	Timonium, MD    	18-Sep-05
BlueGray Half Marathon	Fredericksburg, VA	18-Sep-05
RASAC Run to Mama 5M	Bel Air, MD       	18-Sep-05
Executive Stampede 5K	Hunt Valley, MD 	18-Sep-05
Renegade 5K       	Fredericksburg, VA	18-Sep-05
Navy Federal 5K 	Vienna, VA       	24-Sep-05
Heritage Humane Socy 5K Williamsburg, VA	24-Sep-05
MCRRC Lake Needwood 10K	Derwood, MD       	24-Sep-05
BB&T Virginia 10/4 Mile	Lynchburg, VA     	24-Sep-05
Catonsville YMCA 5K 	Catonsville, MD 	24-Sep-05
Quantico HM        	Quantico, VA      	24-Sep-05
DianeGeppi-Aikens Meml 5K Baltimore, MD 	24-Sep-05
Special Olympics 5K	Boyce, VA        	24-Sep-05
Bachmann Valley Half Mar Westminster, MD	24-Sep-05
Harford Hospital 5K	Havre de Grace     	24-Sep-05
Creeper Classic 5K	Abingdon, VA      	24-Sep-05
UMW 5K Run        	Fredericksburg, VA	24-Sep-05
Zack's 5K         	College Park, MD	25-Sep-05
Navy's Birthday Run 5M	Washington, DC   	25-Sep-05
Pace Race 5K      	Bethesda, MD    	25-Sep-05
Susie's Cause 5K Run	Baltimore, MD     	25-Sep-05
DCRRC Natl Capital 20M/5M Alexandria, VA	25-Sep-05
BWI Airport Run 4 Mile	Linthicum, MD     	25-Sep-05
Notre Dame Prep 5K	Towson, MD      	25-Sep-05
Virginia Naturally 5K	Richmond, VA      	25-Sep-05
RASAC Run to Rescue 5K	Bel Air, MD        	25-Sep-05
Old Dominion U 5K	Norfolk, VA       	25-Sep-05
Marymount 5K Challenge	Arlington, VA     	01-Oct-05
Mulberry Isl Half Mar/5K Fort Eustis, VA	01-Oct-05
Becca's Run 5K     	Silver Spring, MD	01-Oct-05
Race for Coop Devel 5K	Washington, DC    	01-Oct-05
Pumpkin Run 5K    	Ashland, VA       	01-Oct-05
Neptune Festival 8K Run	Virginia Beach, VA	01-Oct-05
Roanoke Women's 5K	Roanoke, VA       	01-Oct-05
PWAR Community Serv 5K 	Manassas, VA      	01-Oct-05
Komen Race for Cure 5K	Baltimore, MD     	01-Oct-05
VIR 5K             	Alton, VA         	01-Oct-05
Rockville 10K/5K	Rockville, MD     	02-Oct-05
HCS Metric Mar/5K       Columbia, MD      	02-Oct-05
Great Allegany 15K & 5K	Cumberland, MD    	02-Oct-05
AS Metric Marathon	Harwood, MD       	02-Oct-05
NCR Trail Half Marathon	Sparks, MD        	02-Oct-05
Van Metre 5 Mile	Ashburn, VA       	08-Oct-05
Katrina Relief 5K	Norfolk, VA       	08-Oct-05
Smithfield Hog Jog 5K	Smithfield, VA    	08-Oct-05
Harvest Day 5K Run	Williamsburg, VA	08-Oct-05
Run for Kathy 5K	Bowie, MD         	08-Oct-05
Vinton Fall Festival 5K	Vinton, VA        	08-Oct-05
Green Cir Fall Fitness 5K Winchester, VA	08-Oct-05
Stonewall Jackson Run	Spotsylvania, VA	08-Oct-05
Fit For Life 8K 	Leonardtown, MD 	08-Oct-05
Burk Memorial 5K	Westminster, MD 	08-Oct-05
Chatham Sartomer 5K 	Chatham, VA       	08-Oct-05
Back to School 8K	Somerset, MD      	09-Oct-05
HCS Burleigh Manor 5K	Columbia, MD      	09-Oct-05
Autumn Glory 5K 	Oakland, MD       	15-Oct-05
Hilton 5K Run     	Newport News, VA	15-Oct-05
Am Family Fitness 10K/5K Richmond, VA     	15-Oct-05
Run for Read 8K   	Richmond, VA     	15-Oct-05
PGC Victims' Fund 5K 	Upper Marlboro, MD	15-Oct-05
Baltimore Mar, Half, 5K	Baltimore, MD    	15-Oct-05
Kingstowne Faith 5K	Alexandria, VA    	15-Oct-05
Predicted Time 5 Mile	Washington, DC    	15-Oct-05
All Amer Beach Ford 5K	Virginia Beach, VA	15-Oct-05
Pink Ribbon Classic 5K	Ocean City, MD    	15-Oct-05
Buck Mountain HM & 10K	Free Union, VA    	15-Oct-05
Gillett Ford 10K Run	Blacksburg, VA    	15-Oct-05
Parkridge 5K      	Stafford, VA      	15-Oct-05
Run for Life 5K 	Frederick, MD     	15-Oct-05
Oktoberfest 10K 	Fort Lee, VA    	15-Oct-05
Blue Ridge Hospice  	Clark County, VA	15-Oct-05
Light the Fire 5K	Blacksburg, VA    	15-Oct-05
HCS Thunderhill 10K	Columbia, MD      	16-Oct-05
Home Run 10K/5K 	Rockville, MD     	16-Oct-05
Page's Run 5K     	Potomac, MD       	16-Oct-05
PVTC Track 5K     	McLean, VA       	16-Oct-05
Rediscovery 10K 	Washington, DC    	16-Oct-05
25th Terrapin Trot 5K	College Park, MD	16-Oct-05
Run with the Eagles 5K	Alexandria, VA    	22-Oct-05
Norfolk YMCA Stride 5K 	Norfolk, VA     	22-Oct-05
TS Komen Race for Cure 5K Virginia Beach, VA	22-Oct-05
Candy Cane City 5K	Chevy Chase, MD 	22-Oct-05
Race at the Cape 5K	Virginia Beach, VA	22-Oct-05
Wm&Mary Homecoming 5K	Williamsburg, VA	22-Oct-05
Blue Ridge BurnTrail 5K Charlottesville, VA	22-Oct-05
Steven Rowlett Meml 5K	Pennington Gap, VA	22-Oct-05
Galax Autumn Days 5K 	Galax, VA         	22-Oct-05
Ecology 5K        	Harford, MD     	22-Oct-05
YMCA Trick or Trot 5K	Arlington, VA     	23-Oct-05
OSMC Halloween 5K Run	Annapolis, MD     	23-Oct-05
WRC Ottermill 5 Mile 	Taneytown, MD     	23-Oct-05
Mariner's Noland Trail10K Newport News, VA	29-Oct-05
Potomac 5K        	Potomac, MD       	29-Oct-05
Toys for Tots 5K	Virginia Beach, VA	29-Oct-05
Westfield 5K      	Chantilly, VA      	29-Oct-05
Jimmy K 5K        	Baltimore, MD      	29-Oct-05
Seaside 10M      	Ocean City, MD    	29-Oct-05
Seaside 5K        	Ocean City, MD    	29-Oct-05
Goblin Gallop 5K	Fairfax, VA       	30-Oct-05
Marine Corps Mar & 8K	Washington, DC   	30-Oct-05
Yorktown Battlefield 10M Yorktown, VA     	05-Nov-05
Yorktown Battlefield 5K	Yorktown, VA      	05-Nov-05
Kiwanis Town Center 5K 	Virginia Beach, VA	05-Nov-05
Race for Breath 5K	Virginia Beach, VA	05-Nov-05
Cardinal 5K       	Kensington, MD    	05-Nov-05
Cameron's Cause 5K Run	Falls Church, VA	05-Nov-05
Jug Bay 10K       	Upper Marlboro, MD	05-Nov-05
Mark Wilson Memorial 5K	Richmond, VA      	05-Nov-05
Be True to Your School 5K Fallston, MD    	05-Nov-05
Down's Park 5 Mile	Pasadena, MD     	05-Nov-05
Habitat Hustle 5K	Staunton, VA     	05-Nov-05
Shennadoah U Homecoming 5K Winchester, VA	05-Nov-05
Apple Valley 5K 	Lynchburg, VA      	05-Nov-05
Run for Shelter 5K	Charlottesville, VA	05-Nov-05
Veterans Day 10K	Washington, DC     	06-Nov-05
HCS Burleigh Manor 5K	Columbia, MD     	06-Nov-05
Edgemoor 5K       	Bethesda, MD     	06-Nov-05
Run through Grapevine 8K Mount Airy, MD 	06-Nov-05
Zoo Zoom 5 Miler	Baltimore, MD   	06-Nov-05
On Eagles Wings 10K	Falls Church, VA	11-Nov-05
MMRF Race for Research 5K Washington, DC	12-Nov-05
Cape Henry 10 Miler 	Virginia Beach, VA	12-Nov-05
Cape Henry 5K     	Virginia Beach, VA	12-Nov-05
Richmond Mar/nTelos 8K	Richmond, VA      	12-Nov-05
Purcellville 5K 	Purcellville, VA	12-Nov-05
Race For Mental Health 5K Washington, DC	12-Nov-05
HCS Longfellow     	Columbia, MD    	13-Nov-05
Rock Creek Park Mar	Derwood, MD       	13-Nov-05
Riverbank 12K     	Fredericksburg, VA	13-Nov-05
Jaycees 5K Turkey Trot	Vienna, VA        	13-Nov-05
BRRC Herring Park CC 5M	Baltimore, MD      	13-Nov-05
Mustang 5K Stampede	Marriottsville, MD	13-Nov-05
Cranberry Crawl 10K/5K	Alexandria, VA    	19-Nov-05
Cox Star City HM & 5K	Roanoke, VA      	19-Nov-05
Jingle Bell Run For Arth 5K Richmond, VA	19-Nov-05
Freeze Your Gizzard CC 5K Leesburg, VA    	19-Nov-05
Herndon Turkey Trot 5K	Herndon, VA     	19-Nov-05
Semper Fit Turkey Trot 5M Quantico, VA    	19-Nov-05
TLC King of the Road 5K	Rockville, MD     	19-Nov-05
Governor's Landing 5K	Williamsburg, VA	19-Nov-05
Jingle Bell Run For Arth5K Norfolk, VA    	19-Nov-05
Thomas G. Labrecque 4M	Washington, DC    	20-Nov-05
Little Bennett's CC 5K	Clarksville, MD 	20-Nov-05
HCS Swansfield 5K 	Columbia, MD    	20-Nov-05
Jingle Bell Run For Arthr 5K Baltimore, MD	20-Nov-05