Talk of race strategy and pacing petered off last week as the Boston Marathon weather forecast grew more dire. Cold, with freezing rain and a headwind. That means even more thought paid to what you’re going to wear out there. A few local runners shared their race-time wardrobe with RunWashington. May they each make it to the finish line in one, thawed piece.
Gaithersburg’s Lisa Reichmann will wear the Maiyu Motorcycle Rain Gear Rain Suit Rain Jacket and Rain Pants until it’s time to race. Then she’ll keep a running jacket on. She’d much rather be warm than cold.
Reichmann’s coaching partner, Rockville’s Julie Sapper, will wear the same storm chaser outfit until race time, when it’s down to an efficient few layers and an aerodynamic hat.
D.C.’s Kyle Cooke will be seasonally dressed with his Jingle Bell Run shirt. With enough layers, he won’t be “freeze” out there. You know… since his last name is Cooke.
Chantilly’s Elizabeth Clor will keep things light with lots of compression gear to maintain warm even as the winds whip and the rain falls on the course. She wrote the book on qualifying for Boston. She actually did. It’s called Boston Bound.
Vincente Lai, of Haymarket, will keep a gaiter around his neck in case he needs a little protection from the wind.
If tendinitis couldn’t stop D.C.’s Brittany Peterson from running her first Boston, neither will some nasty weather.
And if she encounters a downpour, she’ll take this jacket. And she’s in luck! Because Patriot’s Day isn’t a federal holiday, bank branches will likely be open, in case she needs to make a “withdrawal.”
The weather is going to be a bear out there, but D.C.’s Tim Hughes is up to the task. Last time he ran Boston it was awfully hot, so he’ll have a chance to see the race from the other side.
D.C.’s Kim Wattrick and Kathy Pugh have different styles for race-time attire, but they’re both focused on crossing the finish line and bundling up later.
Blake Whitney, of D.C., has no intention of getting wet before the race. None at all.
When it comes time to race, though, he’s all in. Blake was D.C.’s top finisher here in 2015.
Colleen Moorman, of D.C., is confident she can work up enough of a sweat to keep herself warm, but on the oft chance she can’t…
…she has a light jacket to block those 40 mph headwinds.
Nathan Alberg knows the keys to beating the cold are keeping a warm core and looking straight ahead with an icy stare of his own. He’s from D.C.
Arlington’s Juan Sanchez keeps things simple, but that second hat is his little secret.
Laura O’Hara, of Arlington, said Vaseline will be the key to her ensemble. In addition to reducing friction on the skin and helping runners avoid a painful shower after the race, it can block the wind with only a thin layer.
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Since 1994, the Kensington 8K Race has been a favorite DC area fall race – a fun, fast event with beauty, challenge, and excitement. Run it this year on Saturday, September 21, 2024!
