"Burke's Streak" was broken at the McCormick & Schmick's 11th annual St. Patrick's Day 10K Sunday, March 14, 1999, in Washington, DC. Since 1996, Irishman Edmund Burke ruled the roads with three consecutive wins (30:52, 31:06 and 30:50). The era was brought to an end, but not without a fight. It took Philippe Rolly of Lyon, France (now residing in Arlington, VA) four and one-half miles to overtake Burke and then battle for the lead. Rolly took second place at the Nasdaq Veteran's Day 10K (31:18) last fall.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the National Capital Area is the designated charity beneficiary. The race was dedicated to the late Officer Tony Simms of the Metropolitan Police Department for being the first "Bigs in Blue" mentor in the partnership of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Metropolitan Police Department.

The 3,878 registered runners were under a weather watch to place odds that the predicted snow would hold off for the race. In 1993, a blizzard canceled the race, but a few die-hard runners showed up anyway. In 1987, the first year, there were 983 finishers (709 males, 274 females). This year, the largest 10K in the region drew participants from thirty-three states and the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries.

Burke sensed the pressure and covered the first mile in 4 minutes 37 seconds with a slight lead. Trailing runners included Weldon Johnson of Washington, DC, the 1998 Marine Corps Marathon winner (2:25:31), and Rolly, who both clocked 4:45 for their first mile.

The runners departed the restaurant at 16th and K Streets, NW and proceeded to 15th Street where they turned onto E Street and raced toward the Capitol. Then they turned around to retrace their steps.

Going into the second mile with 9:32 on the clock, Burke was still in control with Rolly and Johnson clocking 9:42. The two were within striking distance of Burke.

The leading female from the start was Naoko Ishibe of Washington, DC, the winner of the Red Ribbon 5K (17:17). At one and one-half miles, the second place woman was Donna Moore of Kensington, MD, the 1997 Marine Corps Marathon winner ( 2:53:42), with a ten-yard lead over Martha Merz of Annandale, VA, winner of last year's George Washington Parkway Classic 15K (56:56), and Patti Shull of Ashburn, VA, the winner of last year's MS Challenge Half Marathon (1:22:49).

The rain and snow were falling lightly but it was melting quickly as Burke generated heat on the rain soaked streets. Burke was trying to shake Johnson and Rolly like a bad cold. Burke passed the third mile in 14:20 with Johnson and Rolly nine seconds behind.

Burke went into the fourth mile with 19:25 followed by 19:28 for Rolly and Johnson; they closed the gap. The turning point came as Rolly cut tight on a turn onto 15th Street while Burke went wide. The tactic worked and Rolly took the lead. Burke found himself in a position he had not experienced in three years. Going into the fifth mile, Rolly was a second ahead at 24:35. Burke recorded 24:36, followed by Johnson, who was still in the hunt.

Rolly passed the sixth mile on 17th Street in 29:20 with a fifty- yard lead over Burke, who clocked 29:28. Rolly focused on the finish and set a new event record in 30:27. Burke set the previous record last year.

"At the 5K I was 20 meters behind, and I didn't think that I could catch him (Burke). I came back. I didn't finish very fast. Edmund was tired. The last 3K was so cold, but I'm very strong in my head the last 3K. This was a PR for me. Today was a good race. I would like to break 30 minutes for the 10K," said Rolly.

As they rounded the corner off 17th Street and headed into the finish, Johnson threw in a powerful kick that jetted him past Burke to take second with 30:36 to 30:37.

"I thought we would catch him (Burke). Edmund did all of the work. I pulled ahead of Edmund in the last 20 yards. I knew I had him, my kick is pretty good," said Johnson.

"I did my best. I was so nervous and I just took off too fast. I didn't run a smart race. I just didn't have enough at the end. I was glad to be beaten by some good quality runners. I'll be back," said Burke.

Naoko Ishibe was in full control of the women's race and was on pace to establish a new event record. Pushing down 17th Street, Ishibe pulled it together to finish with 36:05, which bettered the event record of 36:17 set in 1997 by Jennifer Stearns.

Moore held the number two spot to finish in 37:02, followed closely by Shull. Shull's 37:12 set a new master's event record. Martha Merz was fourth with 37:41. Joyce Adams of Dulles, VA, was the second master's division woman with 42:39.

"It was good and I felt that I had to work the whole time. I did 5:35 for the first mile. It was too fast. I wasn't too worried. I got ahead of Martha and Patti after a half mile. I don't like seeing women right in front of me. I wanted to concentrate on my splits," said Moore. "I was worried about Patti. She was right behind me. I wanted to try to run about six minutes per mile. I don't want to run Cherry Blossom without a race under my belt," she added.

"It was good for me today. I think that I went out too fast. I liked it. It was a good strength course. I just wanted to see where I was speed-wise. I saw Naoko at the beginning of the race but I never saw her again," said Shull. "I would get close to Donna on the hills and Donna would go by me downhill. The metal grates in the road were slick in the last mile. This was my best 10K since my second child was born," she added.

Dominating the men's master's division, and missing a new record by six seconds, was Ed Sheehan of Washington, DC with 32:46, earning 7th place. In second was three-time master's winner ('92-- 33:45, '96--33:32 and '97--32:42, the record) Chuck Moeser of Sterling, VA, with 32:59, good for 8th place and first in the 45- 49 age group.

"It was a great race for me. It shows me that I am coming back. It takes about two months of hard training to come around. I love this course. Ed passed me at mile 5 and said, 'Hey Chuck.' I had no idea he was a master. I had a fast first three miles, then I eased up. I know I can get down into the 32s. Now I'm psyched," said Moeser.

Hideko Pirie of Fairfax, VA, was first in the 50-54 age group with 43:21. Kathy Lewis of Vienna, VA, was first in the 55-59 division with 48:03. Doralie Segal of Arlington, VA, was first in the 65-69 age group with 53:57.

In the male age group 60-64, nationally ranked Fay Bradley of Washington, DC posted 37:03. Dixon Hemphill of Fairfax Station, VA, continues to dominate the 70-74 group with 47:3, and Bill Osburn of Bethesda, MD, captured the 75-79 division with 53:43.

Following the race, runners warmed themselves with New England clam chowder, huge corned beef sandwiches, bagels, and fruit from McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, fresh juice and food bars from Odwalla, DrinkMore Water, and a non-alcoholic brew from Guinness (a concession to the churches!), as hundreds of random prizes were distributed. All award winners and many random runners received 600 Wizards tickets for a game the following Saturday night. (The Wizards beat the Cavs by 30 points!)

The snow, which held off until just before the start of the race, had turned mostly to rain, which diminished the crowd. The overall male and female winners quickly donned their embroidered fleece award-winner vests and headed for home.