After months of planning, the Washington area saw the return of a local running event, the 8th St. Paddy's Day 10K (Sunday, March 17, 1996). Although the winds were ripping at times up to 20 to 25 miles per hour, the spirits of the runners did not diminish. The sunny skies and the absence of snow pushed the entries. The Big Brothers of the National Capital Area was the beneficiary of the event. The new race course developed proved to be flat and fast and with less turns and inclines from the old course.

In excess of 1500 runners pulled up in front of the Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, DC. Without delay, the signal was given and the runners broke free as they headed for a flat quarter mile. The first mile in Chinatown saw the first mile at 4:58 with a pack of eight (8) runners leading the way. The front row had Brian Erb of Charlottesville,VA, Dave McCormack of Falls Church,VA, Edmund Burke of Burtonsville,MD, Kenneth Halla of Leesburg,VA, and Michael Regan of Washington,DC. The pace was modest but the question was how long the group would stay together before a decisive move would be made. The first master was Chuck Moeser of Herndon, VA, only a minute behind the lead pack.

The leading female passed at 5:57, Barbara Wigle of Centreville, VA, followed by Anita Freres of Arlington, VA. The leading female master was Cathy Ventura-Merkel of Arlington, VA. The streets were vacant of spectators as the runners made their way along H Street. After a right turn on to 16th Street, it was time to set the stage for a victory run as Burke began to break the rank and took control of the event. The invisible bond of the lead pack was interrupted, it was time to scatter and the individual runners had to emerge, the group effort ended. Burke started to put down a pace that was not to be taken lightly and not one runner was willing to tag along.

While Burke was motoring on 16th Street, the middle of the pack runners were making their way along H Street. The road surface was getting hot from all of the pounding. The runners were all wrapped in a variety of running attire. The weather did not stop the smiles and conversations among the runners.

Burke was making plans not to have to sprint to the finish. With the Capitol building in the background, Burke stepped on to Pennsylvania Avenue to round off a morning effort with no serious contender. The clock was ticking away and displayed 30:52 as he crossed the line. There was a single file of runners with no attempt of anyone trying to better their position. The second position was taken in 31:26 by Burke followed by Regan with 31:43. Halla took the fourth position with 31:45. The fifth position was taken by Jesse Smith of Williamsport, MD, with 32:01. The lead master position remained under the control of Moeser as he crossed with 33:11 (14th overall). David Webster of Stevensville, MD, was able to hold on to a second place finish with 35:16 (26th place) while Ed Ryan of Washington, DC was the third master with 35:51 (42nd overall).

The lead had changed hands for the females along the course. The first to step on to Pennsylvania Avenue was Teren Block of Vienna, VA, who captured first place with 38:02. Meg Holden of Alexandria, VA, locked in on position two with 38:10. With less than a quarter mile, the number three place was on the line as Kathi Canese of Arlington, VA, pulled up on the right shoulder of Anita Freres of Arlington,Va. As the two tested to see who was going to be the faster, the times were 38:31 and 38:32 with Freres taking the honor. The fifth position went to Debi Bernardes of King George, VA, with 38:44.

The leading master was Cathy Ventura-Merkel of Arlington, VA, with 39:17 (9th place). The second position was captured by Diana Foster-Jones of McLean, VA, with 42:35 (18th place). Susan Humphries of Potomac, MD, captured third place with 43:13 (21st place) and was first in the age group 45-49.

Ed Doheny of Washington, DC continues to be a movable force in the age group 50-54 by placing first with 38:04 (61st place). Karen Lovelace of McLean, VA, captured first in the age group 55- 59 with 1:00:06 . The 65-69 age group was dominated by Donald McCarten of Great Falls, VA, with 45:20. Bill Morrison of Potomac, MD, placed second with 47:34. Kay Morrison took first in the 65-69 age group with 58:52. Ray Blue, at age 71, captured this age group with 47:46 and Evelyn Kerper of Chevy Chase, MD was first with 1:10:36.

Following the race, the runners enjoyed a post-race brunch by food court vendors in the Old Post Office Pavilion, and were entertained with authentic Irish dancing by the O'Neill-James School of Irish Dancing. After the awards ceremony, Dominic Murray took a turn at entertaining with music and song.