By James Moreland
Washington, DC
June 4, 2011
For the Washington Running Report
Here it was a cacophony. It was a city of runners and walkers. The weather was glorious. “Isn’t it great to know that every year more participants of the Susan B. Komen Global Race for the Cure are wearing the [Proud Pink] of the survivor?” Everyone is touched by someone in their lives as proof of the tens of thousands of participants, nearly 7,000 who ran in the 5K event. For several hours the river of humanity streamed up and down main street Washington, DC to celebrate life, remembrance, hope, and the search for the cure.
At times the music was deafening for those closest to it but they were announcing their presence to the world. There were many testimonials and videos on the big screen. Most telling was the Komen plan to insist on even more access to have earlier screening and prevention. To let the health industry and Congress know that some awareness was not enough and that a cure for everyone would be relentlessly sought after.
The event took up nearly half of the mall from Third to Seventh Street with the music beginning at dawn. The 5K running began at 8:00 AM and hundreds of runners were still getting lined up. It would take many minutes for everyone to cross the ChronoTrack mats but they would insure runners of an accurate net time. Many of the runners were really not here to race today. Still, they were used to lining up for a race. Very few were racing for the best clock time; they were having the best time participating.
Many of the runners did not understand the need for age, which is to clarify their competition. First you can be the overall winner, than you can be the best in your age group. Nearly all the large races have five year age groups. For this event many people left off their age or responded, “fifties,” or “old.” Some just gave us the month and day and left us to ponder. For this event the two main categories are survivor and everyone else. This was their day to be proud and to celebrate and earn our applause.
Close to forty thousands others composed of friends and family started their parade-like celebration at 8:15 a block away. All would unite in the next two hours at the finish line.
Wilson Komen (left), one of the elite runners in the region, is back and added to his winning streak his second overall win in the last two weeks in a very nice 15:35. Four twenty-something runners battled down the final straightaway on Independence for the next spot. The top masters division runner was Henry Wigglesworth, 53, who recently moved back to Washington after have been away for a couple decades. His time was a national–class 17:05.
Top ranked Michelle Miller bolted out early for the honor of being the top woman in the race, finishing in 17:35. With more than twice as many women in the race as men, her time was just a stride behind the 11th fastest man, Tom Beekhuysen, who was the second masters division finisher.
The next six women all finished faster than 19:00. The sixth place finisher, Katie Sutton, 31, of Kirkwood, MO was the first survivor. Her time of 18:44 proved she still has plenty of life in her.
Hundred of volunteers donated their time to make this event a success.
Top ten men
Pl Div/Tot Num Name Age Hometown Gun T Net T Pace == ======== ==== =================== === ================ ===== ===== === 1 1/387 7942 Wilson Komen 33 Washington DC 15:35 15:34 5:01 2 1/449 4955 Jason Myers 25 Alexandria VA 16:09 16:08 5:12 3 2/449 7988 Andrew Sovonick 25 Gaithersburg MD 16:12 16:12 5:13 4 3/449 7084 Matthew Logan 25 Washington DC 16:15 16:15 5:14 5 4/449 7527 Chris Pruitt 28 Arlington VA 16:19 16:19 5:16 6 5/449 6625 Jossi Fritz-Mauer 26 Ardmore PA 16:32 16:32 5:20 7 6/449 1982 Brian McCabe 25 Washington DC 16:40 16:40 5:22 8 1/182 1848 John Black 23 Arlington VA 16:53 16:52 5:26 9 1/114 7142 Henry Wigglesworth 53 Washington DC 17:05 17:05 5:31 10 2/387 11145 Daniel Yi 31 Alexandria VA 17:17 17:16 5:34
Photo below: Henry Wigglesworth, 53, make it look easy, finishing ninth overall.
Top Ten Women
Pl Div/Tot Num Name Age Hometown Gun T Net T Pace == ======== ==== =================== === ================ ===== ===== ===== 1 1/814 6837 Michelle Miller 30 Damascus MD 17:36 17:35 5:40 2 2/814 7151 Meghan Ridgley 32 Vienna VA 18:15 18:15 5:53 3 3/814 11449 Catherine Seaton 32 Raleigh NC 18:27 18:26 5:56 4 1/533 7800 Janet Whittaker 37 Washington DC 18:31 18:30 5:58 5 1/1086 2709 Kaitlin Sheedy 28 Arlington VA 18:41 18:37 6:00 6 4/814 42648 Katie Sutton 31 Kirkwood MO 18:44 18:44 6:02 7 5/814 4021 Martha Nelson 30 Chevy Chase MD 18:59 18:59 6:07 8 2/1086 7443 Terri Firedline 29 Fairfax VA 19:40 19:24 6:15 9 2/533 3917 Chrissy Graham 37 Olney MD 19:31 19:29 6:17 10 1/100 5210 Paige Callahan 18 Annapolis MD 19:56 19:48 6:23
Photo below: first female masters division finisher Sandrine Falgon, 40, hurries after Kelly Devine just off the 20:00 mark.
Recent Stories
A break from racing one of my favorite events gave me a chance to help other runners reach their time goals.
Eight local runners will compete in the Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday morning in Orlando.
St. Albans alumnus wins club cross country championship.
Locals contribute to NCAA titles, another Trials qualifier, Prince William County moves toward an indoor track and comments are sought for the Capital Crescent Trail.
Down The Stretch Track Fest
Down The Stretch Track Fest is a track celebration!
A distance-focused track meet at George Mason University featuring community-to-pro-level races on Friday evening, May 17th.
New Balance merch, Aslin Beer, music all night, and announcers keeping you up-to-date on the
Run the Greenway
We are just days away from the 4th annual Run The Greenway Race and
spots are filling up fast! We don’t want any Jedi to be left behind at this year’s
5K, 10K, or 800-meter Kids Fun Run, or virtual