Open Women

There isn't much debate about the top finisher in the women's open division this fall. When Naoko Ishibe beat two-time defending champion Alisa Harvey at the Army Ten Miler by a mere nine seconds, she clearly announced that she was to be champion of these rankings. Ishibe's 56:39 at the Army race was her best time of the season; however, she also finished second at the Avon 10K in 35:45 and third at the Grand Prix of Running in 17:31.

Our second ranked runner also earned her slot in the rankings at the Army Ten Miler by finishing fourth overall in 1:00:24 for a seasonal best performance. Connie Buckwalter, who comes to area races all the way from Lancaster, PA, was also on hand at the Avon 10K, where she finished fourth, and the Maryland Race for the Cure where she was seventh.

Our third slot was captured by Woodbridge resident Liz Speegle, who turned in a 2:52:03 to finish second at the Marine Corps Marathon, an achievement impressive enough to put her among the top three runners in the region this fall. Speegle also won both the Riverbank 12K, in 45:30 and the H&S Fencing Colonial Beach 10K in 37:30.

Marjan Huizing of Rockville looked sharp racing to fourth place at the Georgetown Classic 10K, and we have awarded her the fourth place finish for the fall period. While the 36:14 that she ran at the Georgetown race was her best effort of the season, she also had a qualifying time at the Grand Prix of Running 5K.

Finally, stealing the last spot among elite, open top five women is Silver Spring's Patty Fulton, who had two overall race victories this fall. Her best effort was a 29:22 at the Kensington 8K; however, she also won the Race for Cooperative Development. In addition, she finished sixth, behind Ishibe and Buckwalter, at the Avon 10K.

1. Naoko Ishibe Silver Spring, MD

2. Connie Buckwalter Lancaster, PA

3. Liz Speegle Woodbridge, VA

4. Marjan Huizing Rockville, MD

5. Patty Fulton Silver Spring, MD

6. Alison Holinka Williamsburg, VA

7. Bethany Eigel Harrisonburg, VA

8. Bridget Quenzer Harrisonburg, VA

9. Mary Jo Saunders Harrisonburg, VA

10. Hilary Cairns Washington, DC

11. Laura Nelson Harrisonburg, VA

12. Desiree Ficker Potomac, MD

13. Bridget Gwitt Alexandria, VA

14. Rosalind Sheppard Crofton, MD

15. Vicki Lang Columbia, MD

16. Denise Cardamone Washington, DC

17. Robin Oswald Washington, DC

18. Martha Henley Richmond, VA

19. Claire Kelley Richmond, VA

20. Kristine Wilson Newport News, VA

21. Jen Stearns Stafford, VA

22. Deanna Clark Baltimore, MD

23. Elizabeth Feldman Chevy Chase, MD

24. Julia Smith Tappahanock, VA

25. Susan Rizzieri Arlington, VA

26. Deirdre McCarthy Gallagher Arlington, VA

27. Mary Davison Chesapeake, VA

28. Diane Haupt Virginia Beach, VA

29. Aurora Scott Portsmouth, VA

30. Andrea Williams Ashburn, VA

31. Rosalie Parker Washington, DC

32. Elizabeth MacPhail Alexandria, VA

33. Rebecca Silvis Washington, DC

Women 35-39

In her first time ranked in this division, Alisa Harvey has continued right where she left the Open Division--at the top. Harvey played runner-up at this year's Army Ten Miler in 56:47, but it was still her best performance of the fall. She was also second at the Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K.

Running in behind Harvey is Jackie Chen, who came all the way from Ft. Leonard Wood, to run in both the Army Ten Miler and the Marine Corps Marathon. And she was in strong form at both, finishing seventh overall in 1:01:43 at the Army race, and tenth at Marine Corps in 3:04:26.

Leslie Fedon of Norfolk takes our third slot this fall, on the strength of two very strong, consistent performances. Fedon's best race was an 18:24 at the Beach Ford All American 5K; however, she also posted an overall victory at the Neptune Festival 8K, in 30:27.

The race for the last two slots in the top five among these rankings was a battle indeed. Monica Grillo and Laura Freix went head-to-head twice, and Freix came out on top--by narrow margins--on both occasions. At the Fair Lakes 8K, Freix took overall honors in 31:47; however, Grillo wasn't far behind, finishing second in 31:54. Then, at the Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K, Freix managed a slightly larger margin of victory, outrunning Grillo by 25 seconds to finish in 38:42 and seventh place. As a result, we've declared Freix to be the fourth ranked runner and Grillo must be content with fifth.

1 Alisa Harvey Manassas, VA

2 Jackie Chen Ft. Leonard Wood, MO

3 Leslie Fedon Norfolk, VA

4 Laura Freix Centreville, VA

5 Monica Grillo Arlington, VA

6 Kelly Barton Baltimore, MD

7 Gloria Santarpia Odenton, MD

8 Suzanne Scoggin

9 Jeanne Grillo Potomac, MD

10 Philippa Wellborn Potomac, MD

11 Donna Karasic Baltimore, MD

12 Tammy Rall Stafford, VA

13 Sue Spitz Fairfax, VA

14 Elizabeth Andrews Norfolk, VA

15 Andrea Wagner Richmond, VA

16 Rene Osikowicz Frederick, MD

17 Barb Willig Kingsville, MD

18 Carol Krill Stafford, VA

19 Suzanne Cote Falls Church, VA

20 Eliza Savage Alexandria, VA

21 Kendall Tata Virginia Beach, VA

22 Lisa Lewis

23 Julia Alexis McLean, VA

24 Janet Murray Washington, DC

25 Mary O'Neill Silver Spring, MD

26 Pam Rickard Rocky Mount, VA

27 Jane Wikman Germantown, MD

28 Josephine Menk Montpelier, VA

29 Laurie Mehler Richmond, VA

30 Vickie Hill Richmond, VA

31 Marti Kachman New Market, MD

32 Carol Weise Williamsburg, VA

33 Renee Butler Bethesda, MD

34 Marjorie Boyd Annapolis, MD

35 Wendy Ponvert Bethesda, MD

Women 40-44

Donna Moore put on a strong show at the Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K, where she placed fifth overall in 37:49, enough to earn her the top ranking for the fall. Moore was even faster when she ran the PBC Run for the Health of It 8K, finishing third in 29:19.

On the last weekend of the fall ranking period, Bethesda's Hope Machedon traveled to Richmond for the Suntrust Richmond Marathon--and came away with not only a third place overall finish, but the runner-up ranking for the fall. Her 2:58:34 marathon effort is certainly worth a special mention; however, she also turned in a second overall finish at the Rockville 10K.

Annapolis's Jill Hargis had an impressive fall as well. She had two overall race victories, at the Toys for Tots 5K and the Goblin Gallop 5K. Her fastest race, however, was a 28:16 at the Jones Falls Express 8K where she finished in sixth place.

Baltimore's Lee DiPietro grabs the fourth slot by being the only woman besides Machedon, Hargis, and Moore in this division to keep all her 10K equivalent times under 40:00. DiPietro's best race was a 29:29 at the Brew to Brew 5 Miler.

Sheri Segal of Virginia Beach was on hand at five races this fall and has slipped into the last slot among the top five women in this division. Segal's best race was a 1:08:13 at the Virginia Ten Miler.

1 Donna Moore Silver Spring, MD

2 Hope Machedon Bethesda, MD

3 Jill Hargis Annapolis, MD

4 Lee DiPietro Towson, MD

5 Sheri Segal Virginia Beach, VA

6 Debi Bernardes King George, VA

7 Beth McCann Falls Church, VA

8 Carole Rosasco Arnold, MD

9 Leisa Ensle Virginia Beach, VA

10 Doris Windsand-Daus Frederick, MD

11 Ruth Riemenschneide Winchester, VA

12 Cathy Horvitz Potomac, MD

13 Suzanne Romness McLean, VA

14 Mary Siemann Frostburg, MD

15 Monica Allard Virginia Beach, VA

16 Susan Baehre Triangle, VA

17 Roberta Baynes Lorton, VA

18 Eleanor Simonsick Baltimore, MD

19 Franziska Grieder Kensington, MD

20 Christine Newsham Alexandria, VA

21 Kathi Canese Arlington, VA

22 Robin Goodwin Timonium, MD

23 Renee Pickard Wilkesboro, NC

24 Dorothy Beckett Columbia, MD

25 Nancy Ferris Goode, VA.

26 Karen Everest Bethesda, MD

27 Deborah Barnett Columbia, MD

28 Brenda Averette Midlothian, VA

29 Yolanda Washington Baltimore, MD

30 Kiyoko Asao-Ragosta Charlottesville, VA

31 Valerie Guilfoil Baltimore, MD

32 Elizabeth Rogers Silver Spring, MD

33 Sarah Buckheit Reston, VA

34 Joan Nugent Wheaton, MD

Women 45-49

There was stiff competition between Falls Church's Betty Blank and Richmond's Cecil Astrop for the first and second ranking this fall. Unfortunately, the two did not run head to head, and, as a result, we've chosen to award the top spot to Blank, since her fastest time, a 40:37 at the Georgetown Classic, represents a 10K time five seconds faster than Astrop's best performance, a 3:21:02 at the Suntrust Richmond Marathon. Blank backs her top ranking up with four other qualifying times, including a top twenty finish at the Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K and a top thirty finish at the Army Ten Miler. Astrop's other qualifying time came when she was the top masters runner at the AllTell Capital City 10K.

Third belongs to another southern Virginia runner, Dorothy Winn of Norfolk. Winn had her best race at the Neptune Festival 8K, where she completed the course in 33:20 to win the division. She was also on hand at the Norfolk Half Marathon, where she ran 1:37:50.

All the rankings in this group were close, and our fourth and fifth rankings were decided by a mere ten seconds. Cathy Renkiewicz and Joyce Adams went head-to-head at the Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K and Renkiewicz crossed the line in 44:01, ten seconds ahead of Adams. Therefore, she earns the final berth among the top five, and Adams must settle for sixth place.

1 Betty Blank Falls Church, VA

2 Cecil Astrop Richmond, VA

3 Dorothy Winn Norfolk, VA

4 Cathy Renkiewicz Burke, VA

5 Joyce Adams Dulles, VA

6 Michelle Lybarger Irvington, VA

7 Ellie Murphy Baltimore, MD

8 Jean Lauzon Spotsylvania, VA

9 Elizabeth Weaver Chevy Chase, MD

10 Christine Wamsley-Morris Colonial Heights, VA

11 Evie Thomson-Lakey Virginia Beach, VA

12 Kay Denzer Virginia Beach, VA

13 Linda Gulick Richmond, VA

14 Stephanie Shipp Great Falls, VA

15 Linda MacDermid Rockville, MD

16 Trish Gaffney Towson, MD

17 Therese Willis Richmond, VA

18 Cindy Clark Germantown, MD

19 Mimi Fackler Norfolk, VA

20 Laura Roman Baltimore, MD

21 Maria Shields Crofton, MD

22 Barbara Bandeira

23 Ann Rose

24 BJ Samuel Virginia Beach, VA

25 Elise Heremann Gaithersburg, MD

26 Ellen Wiggins Baltimore, MD

27 Judy Ferrier Alexandria VA

28 Kathleen Hibbert Woodbine, MD

29 Bonnie Legro Baltimore, MD

30 Marjorie Marque Kingstowne, VA

31 Nancy Specht Banker Hill, WV

32 Elizabeth Hanners Richmond, VA

Women 50-54

Winchester's Sandra Adams, who was on hand at many of the major races this fall, is now holding the crown of the women's 50-54 division. She had her best performance at the Army Ten Miler, where she competed in the Elite division, and finished in 1:08:39, good for 39th overall among the women. If that wasn't enough, she also took second in the division (61st overall) at the Marine Corps Marathon a week later.

The second and third spots for this division were decided at the Marine Corps Marathon. Deb Gebhardt of Adelphi was across the line three minutes ahead of Jeanne Kruger-Williams of Norfolk, and so she earns the runner-up slot and Kruger-Williams has to settle for third in the rankings. Gebhardt backs her ranking up with two second in division finishes behind Adams at the National Capital 20 Miler and the Fair Lakes 8K. Kruger-Williams also had division wins at the Norfolk Half Marathon and the FOP Virginia Beach Ten Miler.

In fourth place for this ranking period we find Salisbury's Linda Mills, who was at her best for the biggest race of the fall, the Army Ten Miler, where she was the second runner registered in this age group to cross the line, finishing in 1:17:55. She also ran the Marine Corps Marathon, where she finished seventh in the division. Finally, rounding out the top five in this division is Esther Buscher, who posted three division victories. Her fastest race was a 22:02 at the State Farm Grand Prix 5K; however, she was also on hand to take divisional honors at the Maryland Race for the Cure and the Avon Running 10K.

1 Sandra Adams Winchester, VA

2 Deb Gebhardt Adephi, MD

3 Jeanne Kruger Williams Norfolk, VA

4 Esther Buscher Abingdon, MD

5 Linda Mills Salisbury, MD

6 Dana Scheurer Reston, VA

7 BJ Derring Virginia Beach, VA

8 Jeanne Bowers Norfolk, VA

9 Jane Godfrey Takoma Park, MD

10 Marilyn Bevans Baltimore, MD

11 Kathy Luby Baltimore, MD

12 Patsy Tudor Richmond, VA

13 Natalie Vaslavsky Baltimore, MD

14 Barbara Ivey Hampton, VA

15 Laura Cantrell Fairfax, VA

16 Penny Bodine Cabin John, MD

17 Olivia Carolin Alexandria, VA

18 Susan Gleazer Columbia, MD

19 Judy Allen Warrenton, VA

21 Mary Kuta Rockville, MD

22 Betty Brothers Virginia Beach, VA

23 Elizabeth Sadoff Washington, DC

Women 55-59

Gaithersburg's Sharon Dolan has taken the top prize in the women's 55-59 division this fall. She does so on the strength of four qualifying times, including a 45:25 at the Rockville 10K, as well as a 3:40:41 finish at the inaugural MCRRC Marathon in the Parks. Dolan is awarded first place simply for being the fastest woman week in and week out in this division.

Linda Tice secured herself the second slot in this division for the ranking period when she finished second in the division at the Army Ten Miler, where she crossed the line in 1:16:37 for her best race of the fall.

Finishing third this fall is Hideko Pirie, who posted three 10K equivalent times under 50:00. Her fastest race was a 20:33 at the Women's Center Tysons 5K. However, she also looked sharp at the Fair Lakes 8K, where she ran 39:19, and the Grand Prix of Running , where she managed a 23:11 finish. In fourth is southern runner Sharon Myers, who hails from Blacksburg. Myers did not face any of the other runners ranked in this division this fall, but she posted nearly identical times at the Roanoke Goblin Gallop and the Rocky Mount Downtown Dash, both of which she finished in 23:38.

The real battle in this division was actually for fifth and sixth places between Lucia Davidson and Priscila Prunella. Prunella outran Davidson at the biggest race of the fall, the Army Ten Miler; however, Davidson beat Prunella twice at smaller races (Marathon in the Parks, and National Capital 20 Miler). As a result, we've awarded fifth place to Davidson since she won two of three meetings, and Prunella must settle for a very close sixth.

1 Sharon Dolan Gaithersburg, MD

2 Linda Tice Glen Echo, MD

3 Hideko Pirie Fairfax, VA

4 Sharon Myers Blacksburg, VA

5 Lucia Davidson Arlington, VA

6 Priscila Prunella Rockville, MD

7 Andrea Hess Midlothian, VA

8 Dee Nelson Gaithersburg, MD

9 Jane Metzler Falls Church, VA

10 Mary Kate Berglund Richmond, VA

11 Rose Mary Walters Monrovia, MD

12 Julie Trapp, Silver Spring, MD

Women 60-64

Once again, Lusby's Tami Graf has run away with women's 60-64 division. The indomitable 64 year old was on hand at seven races during this eleven week ranking period, and she was at her best for one of the biggest races she ran. Graf turned in her best performance at the Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K, where she finished just outside the top 100 overall in 45:36.

The real battle in this division was for the second slot-- between Anna Berdahl and Jill Mottus. Fortunately, the two women ran head-to-head at the Avon Running 10K, where Mottus made it across the line 24 seconds ahead of Berdahl to capture the runner-up position in this division. Mottus' best race, however, was a 34:19 at the Port of Fort 4 miler. Berdahl, to her credit, had her fastest race at Zack's Run, where she completed the course in 26:01.

Finishing fourth in this fall's rankings is Kathy Price of Rockville, who stuck to the longer races this fall, posting her times at the National Capital 20 Miler, and the Army Ten Miler. The Ten Miler was by far her better race, as she finished seventh in the age division in 1:35:50.

Running in just in time to grab fifth place for the fall rankings is Betty Munden, who captures the slot by being the only woman besides those ranked in front of her to post a sub-one-hour 10K equivalent time. She accomplished this at her best race of the season, the 2000 Run for Holiday House 5K where she ran 28:34.

1 Tami Graf Lusby, MD

2 Jill Mottus Baltimore, MD

3 Anna Berdahl Silver Spring MD

4 Kathy Price Rockville, MD

5 Betty Munden

6 Sylvia Boecker Virginia Beach, VA

7 Barbara Guerrieri

8 Phyllis L Sherrill Virginia Beach, VA

9 Gloria Morey Columbia, MD

Women 65-69

The seven women who earned two qualifying times this fall managed to do so with only one head-to-head contest. As a result, we have assigned rankings based solely on each woman's times. Capturing the top slot is McLean's Phyllis Altrogge, who turned in a fantastic performance for a top-50 overall finish at the Tyson's Corner Women's Center 5K, where she ran 26:19.

In second place we have Betty Dameron of Fredericksburg, who had her best time of the fall at the Riverbank 12K, where she ran 1:09:29. Our third place finisher, Pat Ewell of Smithfield, was one of the few women over 65 to post a qualifying time at the Marine Corps Marathon, winning the division in 5:05:03. Ewell's fastest race, however, was a 1:37:32 at the FOP Virginia Beach 10 Miler.

Taking fourth place is Yvonne Aasen of Severna Park whose best race was a 59:54 at the Edgemeade 10K. And, taking the final slot among the top five is Jeanette Chambers of Arnold, who had her best race at the 3M 5K, where she finished in 29:42.

1. Phyllis Altrogge McLean, VA

2. Betty Dameron Fredericksburg, VA

3. Pat Ewell Smithfield, VA

4. Yvonne Aasen Severna Park, MD

5. Jeanette Chambers Arnold, MD

6. Lee Glassco McLean, VA

7. Jacqueline O'Neil Washington, DC

Women 70-74

Five women in the 70-74 division earned at least two qualifying times. First place finisher Doralie Segal earned her spot with the only two 10K equivalent averages under one hour run by these ladies this fall. Segal had five qualifying times, with her fastest race a 1:38:06 at the Army Ten Miler.

Trotting into second and third for the fall are Rockville's Kerstin Anderson and Myersville's' Helen Schley. The two had very similar performances; however, Anderson earns herself the second place by finishing second in the division behind Segal at the Avon Running 10K and the Army Ten Miler. Schley, who earns the third spot, did so with two qualifying times, including a 34:35 at the Great Frederick Fair 5K.

Finally, rounding out the 70-74 division are Martha Trimmer of Grasonville and Terry Hamilton of Reston. Trimmer's best effort was a 36:38 at the Aquafina Run Around Downtown, while Hamilton had her best race at the Ohio Willow Woods Give Wings to Dreams 5K where she crossed the line in 37:42.

1. Doralie Segal Arlington, VA

2. Kerstin Anderson Rockville, MD

3. Helen Schley Myers, MD

4. Martha Trimmer Grasonville, MD

5. Terry Hamilton Reston, VA

Women 75 and Over

Two women this fall earned the requisite qualifying times to earn a ranking. The division crown goes to Christiansburg's Louise Akers who had two qualifying times, including a 32:44 at the Star City Half Marathon. In second place we find Hedy Marque of Alexandria who also had two qualifying times. Her fastest effort was a 1:09:40 at the Avon 10K.

1. Louise Akers Christiansburg, VA

2. Hedy Marque Alexandria, VA

The following races were used in this ranking period:

2000 Fitness Zone Blue & Gray Half Marathon

2000 H&S Fencing Colonial Beach 10K

2000 HCS Metric Marathon 5K

2000 Pepsi 10K Results

2000 Run For Holiday House

2000 Run Through The Grapevine 8K

25th Annual Rockville 10K

25th Annual Rockville 5K

3M 5K: Racing To Save Lives

3rd Annual Run 'Round Robinson 5K

5th Annual Quantico Half Marathon

Addidas Stripe 3 Route 1 Corridor Classic 8K

AllTell Capitol City 10K

Animal League 5K

Apple Trample 5K

Aquafina Run 'Round Downtown 5K

Army Ten Miler

Autumn Glory 5K

Autumn Leaves 5 Miler

Avon Running 5K

Bachman Valley Half Marathon

Back To School 8K

Beach Ford All American 5K

Becca's Run 5K

Belfort Wings Over Loudoun 10K

Brew To Brew 5 Miler

BWI Airport Run 5K

Creeper Classic 5K

Dawson's Five Miler

DCRRC Ft. Hunt 10K

DCRRC National Capital 20 & 5 Milers

Discovery Creek 5K

Edgemeade 10K

Edgemoor Classic 5K

Fair Lakes 8K

Franklin Square 5K

Georgetown Classic 10K

Goblin Gallop

Goblin Gallop Roanoke 5K

Goodloe Byron 15k

Grand Prix Of Running 5K

Great Allegany 15K/5K

Great Frederick Fair 5K

Great Metro Subway 5K

Hampton Bays Days 10K

Haunted Hills 5K

Herndon Turkey Trot 5K

Jones Falls 8K Express

Kensington 8K

Kings Charter 8K

Laws Run For The Shelter 5K & Half Marathon

Lu's Run 5K

Make A Wish 10K/5K

Marine Corps Marathon

Mark Wilson 5K

Maryland Race For The Cure

MCRRC Lake Needwood Cross Country 10K

MCRRC Up-County Cross Country 5K

Maryland Veterans 10K

Midlothian Blaze

Montgomery County Marathon In The Parks

Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K

Neptune Festival 8K

Norfolk Half Marathon/5K

Norfolk YMCA 5K

NTelos 8K

Ohio Willow Woods Give Wings To Dreams 5K

Paul VI Runfest 5K

Police Pace 5K

Port To Fort 4 Miler

Potomac 5K

Race At The Ridge 5K

Race For Cooperative Development

Race To Be Fit 10K

Riverbank 12K

Roanoke Women's Distance Festival 5K

Rocky Mount Downtown Dash 5K

Run For A Miracle 5K

Run For Ann 5K

Run For Kathy 5K

Run For Randi 5K

Run For The Health Of It 8K

Run For The Homeless 5K

Running of The Gators 5K

Spring Valley 5K

Star City Half Marathon/5K

Starlight 5K Run

State Farm Insurance Grand Prix 5K

Stop The Clock 5K

SunTrust Richmond Marathon

The Women's Center Tysons 10K/5K

Tom Bashara 5K

Toys For Tots 5K

Van Metre 5 Miler

Vanguard Run For Recovery 5K

Veterans Day Road To Freedom 5K

Virginia 10 & 4 Milers

Virginia Beach Fop 10 Miler

Virginia Naturally 5K

Wednesday's Child 5K

Western YMCA Family 5K

Yellow Jacket 5K

Zack's Run 5K