It was time to shake off old man winter at what was the start of the race to signal the Washington racing season. The new race, starting at the Pavilion at the Old Post Office, was the St. Patrick's Day 10K, held on Sunday, March 13, 1988.

The new, certified out and back course went down Pennsylvania Avenue and then turned onto Constitution, up to 14th Street, and onto Independence Avenue, then up Capitol Hill, and back to Independence, then down to Maine Avenue and returning by way of L'Enfant Plaza, to Independence, to 14th Street and back along Constitution to the Pavilion.

The Government of the District of Columbia, Challenge International Heroes, Inc., and Colonial Running Company, Inc. hosted the race. The proceeds were used to make grants to non- profit disability organizations in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, which benefits children with disabilities. The entry fee was a modest $10. The warm weather brought out more runners, and the organizers were expecting only 700 runners. There were not enough post-race refreshments as a result.

The race had 1,112 registered runners. In first year events, all of the marks are records but there is only one first year winner. Scott Celley of Washington, DC established a winning time of 32:19, followed by Larry Frederick of Reston, VA, in 32:54. Steve Clarke of Herndon, VA, was third in 33:39. Bennett Beach of Bethesda, MD, was fourth in 33:36. The fifth finisher was Gregory Kaplan of Arlington in 33:55.

Andrea Volpe of Springfield, VA, was first in 36:32, followed by Patricia Bullinger of Arlington, VA, in 36:55. The third finisher was Molly Pyle of Washington, DC, in 40:57, followed by Denise Byrnes of Washington, DC in 41:05. Kathlyn Otto of Warrenton, Va., was fifth in 42:14.

Paul Zink of Reston, VA was the first male master in 35:20, followed by Jack Arthur of Falls Church, VA, in 36:27. Chan Robbins of Arlington, VA was the third master in 36:35, and was the first in the 50-59 age group.

Chris Stockdale of Alexandria, VA was the first female master in 44:12. Andrea Anderson of Arlington, VA was second in 44:38, followed by Mary Hays of Arlington, VA in 44:46. Charlotte Edwards of McLean, VA was first in the 50-59 age group in 48:27. Herb Chisholm of Arlington, VA was first in the 60-69 age group in 40:39.