Open Women
An impressive 23 runners qualified in the Open division, with newcomer Atalelech Ketema (Lead-in photo)of Washington, D.C. and Ethiopia taking the top spot, in a close decision over Tatyana Maslova of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Russia. Ketema led the Spring and Fall ranking periods, and Maslova led the Summer period. They did not race head-to-head, so the slight edge goes to Ketema on the basis of strength of competition defeated. The best race was the Sallie Mae 10K, where Ketema (34:53) defeated third-ranked Naoko Ishibe (36:05) of Silver Spring, Maryland and fourth- ranked Megan McLaughlin (36:22) of Alexandria, Virginia. Ketema's best performance was a 26:20 at the nTelos 8K.

Photo on left: Caroline Tynan of Sterling, VA, 7th among Open women)

Maslova gets the nod for second over Ishibe, based on having beaten her three out of four times. Maslova defeated Ishibe at the Ukrop's 10K (35:51 to 36:20), Lawyers Have Heart 10K (35:24 to 35:43), and Rotary Twilight 8K (27:46 to 27:51), while Ishibe beat Maslova at the Ivymount 5K (17:01 to 17:57).

Fifth is Heather Hanscom of Alexandria, Virginia, whose performances include a fine 2:37:59 at the Marine Corps Marathon, to qualify for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Ishibe and ninth-ranked Lee DiPietro of Towson, Maryland, the oldest runner in the Open rankings, also qualified for the Olympic Trials. The youngest female in the rankings was 13-year- old Aurora Scott of Portsmouth, Virginia, the only runner under 20 years old in the rankings.

Photo below: Suzannah Kvasnicka of Great Falls, VA, 13th in the Open division

 Pl	Name              	Age	Hometown
  1	Atelelech Ketema	20	Washington, DC
  2	Tatyana Maslova 	36	Gaithersburg, MD
  3	Naoko Ishibe      	34	Silver Spring, MD
  4	Megan McLaughlin	23	Alexandria, VA
  5	Heather Hanscom 	25	Alexandria, VA
  6	Irina Suvorova    	32	Gaithersburg, MD
  7	Caroline Tynan    	30	Sterling, VA
  8	Casey Smith        	23	Arlington, VA
  9	Lee DiPietro      	45	Towson, MD
 10	Alisa Harvey      	37	Manassas, VA
 11	Jennifer Concaugh	28	Alexandria, VA
 12	Cathy Pugsley      	33	Annandale, VA
 13	Susannah Kvasnicka	30	Great Falls, VA
 14	Patty Fulton      	37	Silver Spring, MD
 15	Maria Spinnler    	41	Hagerstown, MD
 16	Denise Knickman 	35	Baltimore, MD
 17	Marjan Huizing    	35	Gaithersburg, MD
 18	Sharon Donavan    	28	Arlington, VA
 19	Lisa Thomas       	27	Alexandria, VA
 20	Aurora Scott      	13	Portsmouth, VA
 21	Laura Freix        	41	Centreville, VA
 22	Diane Hevehan      	31	Alexandria, VA
 23	Sherry Esposito 	24	Elkridge, MD

Women 35 - 39
Photo at left: Silver Spring's Patty Fulton placed 3rd in the sub-masters division and 14th in the Open division

Tatyana Maslova of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Russia wins the Open division. The most competitive race was the Rotary Twilight 8K, where Maslova (27:45) defeated second-ranked Alisa Harvey (29:02) of Manassas, Virginia and fourth-ranked Denise Knickman (30:07) of Baltimore. Maslova also defeated Harvey at the Lawyers Have Heart 10K (35:23 to 36:52).

Harvey beats 2002 champion Patty Fulton of Silver Spring, Maryland for the second spot, on the basis of having defeated better competition.

Fifth is Marjan Huizing of Gaithersburg, Maryland, whose performances include a 1:02:48 at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile. The top five runners all placed in the Open division as well.

 Pl	Name       	Age	Hometown
  1	Tatyana Maslova	36	Gaithersburg, MD
  2	Alisa Harvey	37	Manassas, VA
  3	Patty Fulton	37	Silver Spring, MD
  4	Denise Knickman	35	Baltimore, MD
  5	Marjan Huizing	35	Gaithersburg, MD
  6	Helen Beven	36	Kensington, MD
  7	Monica Grillo	38	Arlington, VA
  8	Maria Kozloski	38	Washington, DC
  9	Julie Thienel	39	Columbia, MD
 10	Maureen Hall	38	Lavale, MD
 11	Robin Humphrey	39	Ellicott City, MD
 12	Linda Sawvell	37	Newport News, VA
 13     Elizabeth Feldman 36    Chevy Chase, MD
 14	Suzanne Edgar	36	Leonardtown, MD

Women 40 - 44
The 40-44 division was strong this year, with 20 runners qualifying. Last year's runner-up, Maria Spinnler of Hagerstown, Maryland, moves up to first in 2003, with the departure of Lee DiPietro to the 45-49 age group.

Spinnler faced off against second-ranked Laura Freix of Centreville, Virginia four times, winning all four meetings. Spinnler beat Freix at the Plaza America Family 5K (18:56 to 19:17), the Sallie Mae 10K (37:20 to 39:25), the Lawyers Have Heart 10K (38:59 to 40:42), and the PVI Runfest 5K (18:22 to 19:00).

The Cherry Blossom 10-Mile saw four of the top five runners race against each other, with Freix (1:03:31) beating third-ranked Leslie Minnix-Wolfe (1:04:07) of Herndon, Virginia, fourth- ranked Pat Keating (1:06:23) of Dayton, Maryland, and fifth- ranked Pat Wilkerson (1:06:27) of Columbia, Maryland.

Spinnler and Freix also qualified in the Open division.

 Pl	Name      	Age	Hometown
  1	Maria Spinnler    	41	Hagerstown, MD
  2	Laura Freix       	41	Centreville, VA
  3	Leslie Minnix-Wolfe	41	Herndon, VA
  4	Pat Keating       	41	Dayton, MD
  5	Pat Wilkerson     	44	Columbia, MD
  6	Gloria Santarpia	41	Odenton, MD
  7	Debi Bernardes    	44	King George, VA
  8	Kendall Tata      	40	Virginia Beach, VA
  9	Laeticia Warring	40	Reston, VA
 10	Theresa Kolish    	42	Alexandria, VA
 11	Valerie Plyler    	43	Newport News, VA
 12	Catherine Gallagher	42	Chevy Chase, MD
 13	Cinda O'Dell      	42	Virginia Beach, VA
 14	Sherry Volk       	41	Williamsburg, VA
 15	Marjorie Boyd     	41	Annapolis, MD
 16	Robin Goodwin     	44	Timonium, MD
 17	Monica Allard     	42	Virginia Beach, VA
 18	Sarah Buckheit    	42	Reston, VA
 19	Julie Caprio      	42	Columbia, MD
 20	Nancy Walsh       	41	Gaithersburg, MD

Women 45 - 49
Olympic Trials qualifier Lee DiPietro won the 40-44 age group in 2002, so it is no surprise to see her win the 45-49 age group in 2003. She was also the USATF National Runner of the Year in her age group! Her superiority over the rest of the age group was exemplified by her 29:01 at the Rotary Twilight 8K, beating third-ranked Gretchen Triantos (32:42) of Rockville, Maryland by well over three minutes. DiPietro was also the oldest woman to place in the Open division.

Second is Leisa Ensle of Virginia Beach, who showed her speed by running 18:40 at the Independence Day 5K, to beat fourth-ranked Dorothy Winn (20:37) of Norfolk, Virginia. Ensle did it again at the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon, running 1:25:20 to beat Winn (1:44:43).

Fifth is Sharon White of Langley AFB, Virginia, whose best performance was a 32:37 at the nTelos 8K. The defending champion from 2002, Linda Wack of Germantown, Maryland, takes the sixth spot.

 Pl	Name              	Age	Hometown
  1	Lee DiPietro     	45	Towson, MD
  2	Leisa Ensle        	45	Virginia Beach, VA
  3	Gretchen Triantos	45	Rockville, MD
  4	Dorothy Winn      	47	Norfolk, VA
  5	Sharon White      	46	Langley AFB, VA
  6	Linda Wack        	47	Germantown, MD
  7	Carol Talley      	48	Toano, VA
  8	Alison Suckling 	48	Arnold, MD
  9	Stephanie Shipp  	49	Great Falls, VA
 10	Bernadette Flynn	45	Fairfax, VA
 11	Linda Ingleson     	46	Williamsburg, VA
 12	Laura Dewald      	45	Baltimore, MD
 13	Jean Lauzon       	49	Spotsylvania, VA
 14	Linda Kidder       	46	Williamsburg, VA
 15	Liza Recto        	47	Lexington Park, MD
 16	Katherine Daragan	46	Wheaton, MD

Women 50 - 54
Betty Blank of Falls Church, Virginia, 2002 runner-up in the 45- 49 group, upends defending champion Sandra Adams of Winchester, Virginia.

Two races were especially competitive. At the St. Patrick's Day 10K, Blank (42:31) beat Adams (43:34) and fourth-ranked Valerie Campbell (45:32) of Wheaton, Maryland. Then at the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile, Blank (1:09:25) again got the better of Adams (1:09:40) and Campbell (1:14:44).

Adams gets second over Barbara Mathewson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, on the basis of strength of competition defeated. Fifth is Linell Smith of Baltimore, whose performances include a 21:44 at the Womens' Classic 5K.

 Pl	Name              	Age	Hometown
  1	Betty Blank       	50	Falls Church, VA
  2	Sandra Adams       	53	Winchester, VA
  3	Barbara Mathewson	53	Virginia Beach, VA
  4	Valerie Campbell	52	Wheaton, MD
  5	Linell Smith      	50	Baltimore, MD
  6	Peggy Davis        	50	Falls Church, VA
  7	Maria Shields     	52	Davidsonville, MD
  8	Jane Godfrey      	54	Takoma Park, MD
  9	Brenda Mitchell 	52	Williamsburg, VA
 10	Suanne Shocket    	50	Manassas, VA

Women 55 - 59
Alice Franks of Rockville, Maryland gets the edge for number one, having beaten second-ranked Priscilla Prunella of Rockville two races out of three.

The best race in the category was the Sallie Mae 10K, where Franks (45:11) beat Prunella (47:42) and fourth-ranked Claudia Crawford (51:38) of Stafford, Virginia. Franks also beat Prunella at the Army 10-Miler, running 1:14:08 to Prunella's 1:17:50. Prunella's 3:55:05 at the Marine Corps Marathon turned the tables on Franks (3:55:48).

Two Stafford, Virginia runners battle for the third spot, with Nancy Crippen edging Claudia Crawford. At the YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Crippen (23:02) beat Crawford (24:16), and then followed up with a 29:56 at the Shamrock 4-Mile, again beating Crawford (32:10).

Fifth is Cathy Van Brocklin of Gaithersburg, Maryland, whose best race (by far) was a 45:21 at the downhill Pike's Peek 10K.

 Pl	Name             	Age	Hometown
  1	Alice Franks       	55	Rockville, MD
  2	Priscilla Prunella 	58	Rockville, MD
  3	Nancy Crippen      	55	Stafford, VA
  4	Claudia Crawford	56	Stafford, VA
  5	Cathy Van Brocklin	56	Gaithersburg, MD
  6	Dee Nelson        	59	Gaithersburg, MD
  7	Mary Napoleon     	57	Batesville, VA
  8	Hideko Pirie        	58	Leesburg, VA
  9	Jacqueline Rupp  	55	Lisbon, MD
 10	Linda Peters       	56	New Kent, VA

Women 60 - 64
Sharon Dolan (Photo left) of Gaithersburg, Maryland may have been upset in the Fall rankings period, but for the year as a whole, she is clearly the best, and repeats her 2002 championship. She ran an excellent 1:15:08 at the Annapolis 10-Mile to crush third-ranked Judy Gilbert (1:29:47) of Baltimore.

Repeating as runner-up is Joan Coven of Williamsburg, Virginia, whose times include a 22:57 at the 5K Run for Mental Health and a 37:34 at the Buckroe Beach Blast 8K.

Third-ranked Judy Gilbert's best performances include a 23:29 at Baltimore's Race for the Cure. Nancy Linck of Alexandria, Virginia gets fourth, by virtue of her 1:27:08 at the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile, defeating fifth-ranked Arlowene Garland (1:37:03) of Warsaw, Virginia.

 Pl	Name               	Age	Hometown
  1	Sharon Dolan      	60	Gaithersburg, MD
  2	Joan Coven        	61	Williamsburg, VA
  3	Judy Gilbert      	60	Baltimore, MD
  4	Nancy Linck       	61	Alexandria, VA
  5	Arlowene Garland	64	Warsaw, VA
  6	Lis Villadsen     	63	Charlottesville, VA
  7	Sylvia Boecker    	63	Williamsburg, VA
  8	Janet Newburgh    	61	Rockville, MD
  9	Ellen Hocheder    	60	Mt. Airy, MD
 10	Mary Ann O'Connor	62	Reston, VA
 11	Betty Munden       	63	Norfolk, VA

Women 65 - 69
Tami Graf (Photo left) of Lusby, Maryland repeats as champion of the 65-69 category. Graf led three of the four rankings periods. Her times included a 26:23 at the Superbowl 5K, a 53:54 at the St. Patrick's Day 10K, and a 1:28:50 at the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile.

Nancy Patron of Williamsburg, Virginia is second, with her best performance being a 26:36 at the Governor's Land 5K. She led the Winter rankings.

Third is Jill Mottus of Baltimore, on the strength of such performances as a 28:29 in the Women's Classic 5K. Fourth is Nancy Fraser of Charlottesville, Virginia, who recorded a 28:47 at the Kiwanis Fourth of July 5K, and Jamie Wollard of Rockville, Maryland rounds out the top five, with her best race being a 30:59 at the National Press Club 5K.

 Pl	Name             	Age	Hometown
  1	Tami Graf       	66	Lusby, MD
  2	Nancy Patron      	66	Williamsburg, VA
  3	Jill Mottus     	65	Baltimore, MD
  4	Nancy Fraser      	66	Charlottesville, VA
  5	Jamie Wollard     	65	Rockville, MD
  6	Betty Lou Wolfe 	66	Manassas, VA
  7	Pauline Ely       	65	Hampton, VA
  8	Shirley Wampler 	66	Mechanicsville, VA
  9	Mary Grillo       	65	Gambrills, MD
 10	Jeanette Chambers	68	Arnold, MD

Women 70 - 74
Pat Ewell of Williamsburg, Virginia enters the age group and beats 2002 champion Yvonne Aasen of Severna Park, Maryland for number one. The deciding race was the Rock 'n' Roll Half- Marathon, where Ewell (2:22:34) defeated third-ranked Hiroko Hunt (2:39:19) of Reston, Virginia.

Aasen gets second, based on performances such as her 30:15 at the Women's Distance Festival 5K. The battle for fourth came down to the Veterans Day 10K, where Jacqueline O'Neil (1:08:50) beat Lee Glassco (1:13:16) of McLean, Virginia.

 Pl	Name              	Age	Hometown
  1	Pat Ewell         	70	Williamsburg, VA
  2	Yvonne Aasen      	71	Severna Park, MD
  3	Hiroko Hunt       	70	Reston, VA
  4	Jacqueline O'Neil	72	Washington, DC
  5	Lee Glassco       	72	McLean, VA
  6	Marjorie Lane     	70	Reston, VA
  7	Winnie Gordon     	70	Fairfax, VA
  8	Martha Trimmer     	74	Grasonville, MD

Women 75 - 79
Kay Morrison of Potomac, Maryland repeats as the 75-79 champion. Her best performances were a 1:50:01 at the Cherry Blossom 10- Mile, and a 1:07:34 at the Piece of Cake 10K. Monica Friedman of Silver Spring, Maryland takes second, with times of 37:00 at the National Press Club 5K, and 1:00:17 at the Kensington 8K.

 Pl	Name      	Age	Hometown
  1	Kay Morrison	75 	Potomac, MD
  2	Monica Friedman	76	Silver Spring, MD

Women 80 & Over
Hedy Marque of Alexandria, Virginia repeats as the top 80+ runner, with her best performance being a 1:10:11 at the St. Patrick's Day 10K. She was not only the region's best, she was recently named the USATF National Runner of the Year in the 85- 89 age group!

 Pl	Name       	Age	Hometown
  1	Hedy Marque	85	Alexandria, VA

See the Men's Best of 2003 WRR Runner Rankings