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Cool Spring Runnings Give Way to Hot Summer Days

2005 WRR Spring Runner Rankings
by James Moreland
July/August 2005
For the Washington Running Report

"Like a rosebud blooming in the warmth of the summer sun; it's growing"

--The Temptations, 1964

With the cooler spring weather, racing is booming. The Tonight Show host, Jay Leno, is always bemoaning the fattening of America. Let him see some of the 2,688 ranked runner times among the nearly 80,000 runners who raced in the more than 200 races used in this short, two-month ranking period. Check the speed limit of 55 men of all ages qualifying for the Open Division. Even more women, 63 in all, qualified for the Open Division. More than 1500 different runners ran a qualifying time this season!

We are amazed that 90 different 70 and over runners, including Walt Washburn's (82) ten races and Hedy Marque's (87) continued assault on the record books. Even more gratifying is that 200 different runners 19 and under ran qualifying times.

Runners contact us every day, trying to be sure we have collected their results. It is in the works to be posting a bi- weekly list of names of runners as they finish a qualifying race. The next ranking period extends through Labor Day. With the race levels more than doubling since the winter, we appreciate feedback so that we leave no ranked runner behind.

Women's Spring 2005 Rankings

Men's Spring 2005 Rankings

Errors acknowledged:
The last period we inadvertently omitted two qualified runners. John DiCarlo of Virginia Beach, VA should have been 21st in the 55-59 division. David Brewer of Herndon, VA should have been 22nd in the 50-54 division. We contacted them to apologize and both runners promptly ran out to qualify for the spring season! Brewer won his division at the Capitol Hill Classic 10K.

Young Rory Jenkins will be glad to be ranked 3rd in the 19 & under division and see us spell his name correctly this time.

Perhaps the worst error was the miscalculation of Susannah Kvasnicka's records. Her winning race time for the GW Birthday 10K was improperly entered as 35:59 instead of 35:39. This placed her behind the second place finisher, who ran 35:49. With the corrected time, she naturally vaulted past that runner. Her swifter time edged her past the third and fourth placed runners, making her third overall for the period. Runners three through five each moved down a place.

Fourteen races had more than 1,000 finishers. All the major distances were well represented. Again, 30 races had more than 20 qualifying times.

The top 15 races had more than 35 qualifiers. Virginia and Maryland each had a big 5K and 5 Mile. Only one marathon cracked the top fifteen, while eight 10Ks dominated the big races. The Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K led participation with more than 12,000 runners. Washington, DC spoke up loudly with three big 10Ks and the granddaddy of all the races, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile.

Two new things: 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 is the fastest qualifying time run for each division, and reflected in the first line after the heading in each division. In red, it means the division champion ran it. With the new times in place, some may be surprised at how many runners make the rankings. The answer is 3.5% of all the runners. Now let's see who made it to the top.

Rankings Explained
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 included races. To be included, 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, 1/2 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 results@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 and under, 35-39, 40-44, 45- 49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 and over.

Runners may be ranked in a ranking period by meeting the following criteria:

* Reside in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia (or race here frequently)
* Better the time standard in two included races

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, though at times 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 us at james@runwashington.com.

The Current Qualifying Standards for the 10K

Age Group	     Men	     Women
Open		    34:20	     41:15
19 & under	    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:

*Summer Runner Rankings, May 23, 2005 to September 5, 2005, reported November-December '05

*Fall Runner Rankings, September 6, 2005 to November 20, 2005, reported January-February '06

*Best of 2005, reported March-April '06

Races Used in the Spring Ranking Period

1040K Run 5K                  	Baltimore, MD
180's Shamrock 5K Run         	Baltimore, MD
5K By The Bay           	Newport News, VA
5K Run for Mental Health	Williamsburg, VA
ACLI Capital Challenge 3M	Washington, DC
Al Cesky Scholarship Fund 5K	Bel Air, MD
Angel Kisses 5K            	Chantilly, VA
Animal Chase 10K           	Abingdon, VA
Apple Blossom 10K             	Winchester, VA
Arlington YMCA Mother's Day 10K	Arlington, VA
Ashland 10K - NCR Trail 	Sparks, MD
Ashland Railroad Run 10K	Ashland, VA
Atoms 5K                    	Annandale, VA
Azalea 8K                    	Norfolk, VA
Azalea Classic 5K          	University Park, MD
Billy Korrow Memorial 5k Run	Baltimore, MD
Blair Clipper Classic 5K 	Norfolk, VA
Braemar 5K                   	Bristow, VA
Bright Beginnings 5K          	Washington, DC
Bright Stars 5K              	Charlottesville, VA
BRRC WhiteHall 15K           	Baltimore, MD
BRRC WDF 5K Race            	Baltimore, MD
Buckhoe Beach Dash 8K       	Hampton, VA
CapitalOne 10K for Children	Vienna, VA
Capitol Hill Classic 10K	Washington, DC
Carytown 10K                   	Richmond, VA
C&P Race for Hope 5K        	Washington, DC
Chantilly High School 5K	Chantilly, VA
Charlottesville Marathon/Half	Charlottesville
Cherry Pit 10 Mile           	Edgewater, MD
Chesapeake 10K                	Norfolk, VA
Clyde's 10K                   	Columbia, MD
Connect the Dots 3.446M 	Washington, DC
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10M Washington, DC
Danielle Roach "Save 7 Lives"5K Virginia Beach, VA
Darcars Pike's Peek 10K 	Rockville, MD
DCRRC Burke Lake 12K         	Burke Lake, VA
DCRRC Fort Hunt 10K           	Fort Hunt, VA
DCRRC Steve Thompson Meml 15K	Alexandria, VA
Difficult Run CC 8K           	Great Falls, VA
Doo Dah Day 5K                	Winchester, VA
Fairfax Corner 5K           	Fairfax, VA
Falcon 5K                    	Virginia Beach, VA
Fodderstack 10K         	Flint Hill, VA
Ford's Colony Run for Shelter 8KWilliamsburg, VA
Forest of Needwood 5M        	Brunswick, MD
Fort Eustis 10K             	Fort Eustis, VA
Frederick Marathon           	Frederick, MD
Frederick Marathon Twilight 5K 	Frederick, MD
Friends of Ian 5K            	Gaithersburg, MD
Front Royal Kiwanis 5K       	Front Royal, VA
Frozen Slopes Cross Country 6K	Derwood, MD
Garrett's 5K                  	Frederick, MD
Germantown 5-Miler           	Germantown, MD 
Gibson Is. Chessie 5K        	Pasadena, MD
Grandin Court Baptist 5K	Roanoke, VA
Great Escape Law Enforce't 5K	Mexico Farms, MD
Greenbelt 50/50 5K           	Greenbelt, MD
GW Parkway 10 Mile & 5K 	Alexandria, VA
HCS Atholton 5K - May 1 	Columbia, MD
HCS Atholton 5K - May 22	Columbia, MD
HCS Longfellow 15K          	Columbia, MD
HCS Swansfield 8 Mile        	Columbia, MD
Henrico 5K               	Richmond, VA
Highlands Spring Chase 15K	Abingdon, VA
Hill Phoenix White Bank  5M	Colonial Heights, VA
Hills of Cabin John CC 5K	Cabin John, MD
Holton Elementary 5K      	Richmond, VA
Intl Run for Celiac Disease 5K	Baltimore, MD
J.E.B. Stuart Raider Run 5K	Falls Church, VA
Jamestown H.S. Swamp Run 5K	Williamsburg, VA
JFS Run Roll or Stroll 5K	Norfolk, VA
Journey to Better Pathways 5K	Silver Spring, MD
Lion's Journey for Sight 5K	Virginia Beach, VA
Mark's Azalea Run 5K        	Bethesda, MD
MD Day Run for Hospice 10K/5K   Leonardtown, MD
May Day 5K                  	Lake Ridge, VA
McDaniel 5K Track Run       	Westminster, MD
MCRRC Super Sligo 4M        	Silver Spring, MD
Mt. Hebron Viking Run 5K 	Ellicott City, MD
Natl Race to Stop Silence 8K    Washington, DC
Nestle 5K                	Danville, VA
Ocean City Marathon           	Ocean City, MD
ODU Monarch 5K           	Norfolk, VA
Outback's 5K for the YMCA 	Columbia, MD
Patriot's Cup Corp. Chall. 8K	Fairfax, VA
Yorktown Victory Run 8 Miler	Yorktown, VA
Pet Day 5K                  	Solomons, MD
PGRC Springburst 8K         	Greenbelt, MD
Piece of Cake 10K          	Gaithersburg, MD
Plaza America Family 5K 	Reston, VA
Pomoco Running Crab HM & 5K	Hampton, VA
Poplar Spr. Animal Sanctuary 5K	Wheaton, MD
Port to Fort 6K         	Baltimore, MD
Potomac River Run Marathon & HM	Alexandria, VA
Preakness 5K                  	Baltimore, MD
Purcellville 5K             	Purcellville, VA
PVTC Easter Classic 10K & 5K	Alexandria, VA
Queen's Lake 5K          	Williamsburg, VA
Race for Education 5K        	Upper Marlboro, MD 
RASAC Mother's Day 5K         	Bel Air, MD
RASAC Polar Bear 5K          	Bel Air, MD
RASAC Susquehanna 10K & 5K	Bel Air, MD
R.O.A.R. 5K             	Baltimore, MD 
Reston 10 Mile & 5K            	Reston, VA
Reston Shamrock 5K Run         	Reston, VA
Richmond Race for the Cure 5K	Richmond, VA
Robbies Miles 5K             	Prince Frederick, MD
Roberta Romano Raccoon Run 5K	Fairfax, VA
Rosner Shamrock 5K Run       	Fredericksburg, VA
Rotary 5K                     	Winchester, VA
Rudy's SEAL Euro CC 8K        	Virginia Beach, VA
Run for Hope 5K            	Amelia, VA
Run For Independence 5K   	Virginia Beach, VA
Run for Shelter 5K           	Richmond, VA
Run the Crater 5K & 8M        	Fort Lee, VA
Run vs. Row 10K         	Alexandria, VA
Saints Sprint 5K            	Richmond, VA
Sallie Mae 10K          	Washington, DC
Sandburg Pantherlon 5K       	Alexandria, VA
Scope it Out 5K             	Washington, DC
Corporate Challenge 5K & 6M	Baltimore, MD 
Semper Fit 5K              	Quantico, VA
Seton Keough Gator 5K         	Baltimore, MD
Shamrock Hill 5K            	Roanoke, VA
Shamrock Marathon & 8K      	Virginia Beach, VA
Sheppard Pratt Celebration 5K	Baltimore, MD
Spring 5K                  	Washington, DC
St. Francis Home 5K Run 	Richmond, VA
St. John Freedom Run 5K 	Virginia Beach, VA
St. Patrick's Day 10K        	Washington, DC
Stupid Little 10 Mile & 5K	Berryville, VA
Suffolk YMCA Spring Stride 5K	Suffolk, VA
Tren Robbins Organ Donor 8K	Fredericksburg, VA
Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K	Richmond, VA
Union Mill Elementary 5K	Clifton, VA
Victims Fund Run 5K       	Baltimore, MD
Vienna Elementary Run 5K	Vienna, VA
Vinton Baptist Dogwood 5K	Roanoke, VA
Virginia Senior Games 5K	Virginia Beach, VA
Weinberg YMCA 5K        	Baltimore, MD
Whistlestart Fun Run 5K 	Richmond, VA
Whitman in Motion 5K       	Bethesda, MD
Wittondale 3M            	Towson, MD


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