Charlie Ban - RunWashington

Marine Corps Marathon winners make moves on the Mall

Published October 26, 2014 at 1:51PM | Updated August 18, 2015 at 12:39PM

Marine Corps Marathon winner Samuel Kosgei nearing the 17 mile mark in second place. Photo: Charlie Ban

Amid the museums that line the National Mall, Spc. Samuel Kosgei and Capt. Meghan Curran carved out their place in history when they both took leads in the Marine Corps Marathon that they would hold to the finish. Along the way, they both led their respective U.S. Army teams to military marathon team championships.

[button-red url=”http://www.marinemarathon.com/Results/MCM_Results.htm” target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red]Both races featured strong leads by front runners in the first half. Getachew Asfaw and Colleen Little tried to run away with the race. Little faded after the half and six women were within 70 seconds at mile 17. Curran passed Little in mile 18 but soon found herself facing a daunting 20th and 21st miles crossing the 14th Street Bridge into Crystal City. Little went on to finish in 27th in 3:10:13.

News

Marine Corps Marathon 2014

By Charlie Ban

Published October 24, 2014 at 8:34PM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:21PM

Spectators cheer for family and friends along Jefferson Drive along the National Mall. Photo: Jimmy Daly

Amid the museums that line the National Mall, Spc. Samuel Kosgei and Capt. Meghan Curran carved out their place in history when they both took leads in the Marine Corps Marathon that they would hold to the finish. Along the way, they both led their respective U.S. Army teams to military marathon team championships. Read more

While many loved the scenic course, crowd support, and near perfect weather, runners at Sunday’s Marine Corps Marathon universally raved about one thing: Marine volunteers who motivated them to cross the finish line. Read more

News

MCM Preview: Jenn Pellegrino

By Charlie Ban

Published October 24, 2014 at 8:32PM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:21PM

Jenn Pellegrino

When Jenn Pellegrino starts the Marine Corps Marathon, her mind isn’t going to be on whether she can finish — she’s already done 24, three in the last month.

She also won’t be focusing on time. In fact, she’s making it a point not to rush through the race.

News

Spectator’s guide to the Marine Corps Marathon

By Charlie Ban

Published October 24, 2014 at 4:26PM | Updated October 13, 2015 at 12:43PM

I’m no expert on the Marine Corps Marathon, but after running it (almost) twice and spectating five times, I have a few insights to offer on getting around, seeing people you want to see and getting them the encouragement they need.

First off, it’s a good idea to sign up for runner tracking. Though it may not always offer instant updates, it’s a good way to keep an eye on where people are at 10k, 20k, 30k, 40k and the finish.

News

No Money, No Matter

By Charlie Ban

Published October 24, 2014 at 6:41AM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:22PM

He could have cashed in at any number of marathons.

Instead, Carl Rundell chased a victory at the Marine Corps Marathon for four years, one that would have been lucrative only if wealth was measured in glory, honor and satisfaction from personal achievement.

DCXC

British take back small portion of Bethesda

By Charlie Ban

Published October 22, 2014 at 2:04PM | Updated June 25, 2018 at 4:51PM

Sami King holds off Page Lester for the Georgetown Prep title. Photo: Charlie Ban

The lads from St. Albans ran like they were fleeing Scotland Yard, winning the Georgetown Prep Classic during the annual exchange trip with their brothers across the pond.

[button-red url=”http://www.runwashington.com/results/” target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red]Students from the British St. Albans School spent more than a week staying with runners’ families and soaking in the D.C. area. And then they helped themselves to a team title, placing five runners in the top 12 to finish comfortably ahead of Loyola, Robinson and their American hosts.

DCXC

Zarate edges Woods, WJ bests B-CC at Montgomery County meet

By Charlie Ban

Published October 20, 2014 at 8:38AM | Updated June 25, 2018 at 4:51PM

Diego Zarate leads Evan Woods in the Montgomery County Cross Country Championships. Photo: Charlie Ban

Draw a finish line anywhere in Maryland and just wait for Diego Zarate and Evan Woods will come barreling to claim it.

It’s been happening the last two years and the rivalry saw its closest finish yet Saturday at the Montgomery County Cross Country Championships.

DCXC

Testing their brains in the classroom and legs on the course and dance floor

By Charlie Ban

Published October 15, 2014 at 10:50PM | Updated June 25, 2018 at 4:51PM

Washinton-Lee's Katherine Eng hunts down teammate Laura Ramirez and West Springfield's Emily Keast with 200 meters to go at the Glory Days Grill Invitational. Photo: Charlie Ban

Joey Gaines got the answer to the question nobody ever thought to ask: What’s harder — running a 5k cross country race or traveling to Clifton, Va. from Greenbelt, Md. on a Sunday afternoon?

[button-red url=”http://va.milesplit.com/meets/176775-glory-days-grill-invitational#.VD8GuvnF-PU” target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red]

DCXC

Cross Country Weekly Roundup #5

By Charlie Ban

Published October 6, 2014 at 12:29AM | Updated June 25, 2018 at 4:51PM

Ryan McGorty on his way to winning the Gettysburg Invitational. Photo: Ed Lull

After a few heavy weekends of racing, some teams took off, but it wasn’t a rest week for everyone.

In Cary, N.C., Loudoun Valley’s Andrew Hunter ran 14:46 to win the Great American Cross Country Invitational’s Race of Champions, demonstrating what he can do on a fast course. E.C. Glass sophomore Libby Davidson ran 17:07, letting Heritage’s Weini Kelati know the 4A state championship won’t be a lonely race. James Madison’s girls took fifth, with a short-handed Oakton team behind in 14th.

DCXC

Cross Country Weekly Roundup #4

By Charlie Ban

Published September 29, 2014 at 12:30PM | Updated June 25, 2018 at 4:51PM

Walt Whitman's Evan Woods crosses the DCXC senior race finish line in 15:20 for a 25 second PR. Photo: Dustin Whitlow

The DCXC Invitational gave Maryland, D.C. and Virginia runners a chance to face off, though the grade-level race format precluded a showdown between Heritage junior Weini Kelati and Bethesda-Chevy Chase senior Nora McUmber, both strong contenders for their respective state individual titles in Virginia and Maryland, it didn’t keep anyone from running a fast time, with 14 boys breaking 16 minutes on a course that while not as hilly as others, still retained some challenge, with turns and uneven footing.

Walter Johnson’s girls took a look at the Maryland state meet course, which will return to Hereford, and came away with a win in the elite race, capturing three of the top four places with Kiernan Keller winning, and Abbey Green and Emily Murphy following in third and fourth.