Maggie Lloyd

Off the Beaten Path: Lake Needwood

Published May 23, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated May 24, 2023 at 3:38PM

With all due respect to Rock Creek Park, I’m getting a little tired of Rock Creek Park, or at least the parklands in DC. Don’t get me wrong, I deeply appreciate the city closing parts of Beach Drive to allow socially distant recreation during the COVID-19 crisis, but when you’re an injured runner it’s kind of hard to go where seemingly all the healthy runners are going.

So I’ve been trying to branch out, using a few criteria to stave off cabin fever: easy parking; quiet trails; plenty of shade; friendly dogs, preferably leashed.

News

Off the Beaten Path – Patuxent River Park

By Maggie Lloyd

Published May 3, 2023 at 12:00PM | Updated May 3, 2023 at 4:20PM

Ryan Stasiowski finishes the 2013 Patuxent 10k. Photo by: Charlie Ban

Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro, Md. boasts more than 6,000 acres of nature trails and wildlife just ten miles off the Beltway.

(more…)

News

Nell Rojas wins Cherry Blossom, US 10 mile title

By Maggie Lloyd

Published September 12, 2021 at 7:00PM | Updated September 17, 2021 at 7:55AM

The lead women's pack, including eventual winner Nell Rojas (third from left) runs the first mile of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile. Photo: Charlie Ban

Nell Rojas (52:13) held off Jenny Simpson (52:16) in a kick to the finish between the two Boulder, Colo. residents racing their first Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, which doubled as the USATF 10 Mile Championships. Both athletes competed in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June, as did Sara Hall of Flagstaff, Ariz. who finished fourth for American women today in 52:43. Kenya’s Antonina Kwambai (52:23) and Caroline Rotich (52:25) placed third and fourth overall, respectively.

Simpson’s entry into the race marked the long distance road racing debut for the three-time Olympian and three-time World Championship medalist.

News

Passing storm sets atmosphere for Midsummer Night’s Mile

By Maggie Lloyd

Published July 12, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated July 13, 2021 at 5:40PM

Runners in a mixed heat race the Midsummer Night's Mile. Photo: Dan Reichmann,

Montgomery County Road Runners dodged a thunderstorm on Friday to host more than 100 runners at its Midsummer Night’s Mile on the Gaithersburg High School track.

Chris Moen of Bethesda claimed the fastest time of the night, staying with the pack in the first two laps before taking the lead and crossing the line in 4:36. D.C.’s Jacqueline Kasal was the fastest woman with her 5:24 finish.

Trials Fever

Ellicott City native Harvey approaches Trials with nothing to lose

By Maggie Lloyd

Published December 16, 2019 at 3:00PM | Updated December 17, 2019 at 9:01AM

Brian Harvey finishes the 2017 California International Marathon. Photo: Sport Photo

Brian Harvey has come a long way from his 24-minute 5k during his freshman year of high school. The Ellicott City native, who now runs for the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:17:48 finish at the 2018 California International Marathon. It will be his second appearance at the Trials.

The key to success for this Cambridge, Mass., resident has been his ability to balance consistent race performances with his full-time jobs as a biomedical engineer and as a father to his two-year-old daughter. Most days his training is done by 7 a.m. so that he and his wife can get ready for work.

Trials Fever

Shoemaker beats back two years of injuries to run Olympic Trials qualifier

By Maggie Lloyd

Published June 3, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated June 3, 2019 at 12:12PM

Perry Shoemaker relaxes after winning the 2016 Marine Corps Marathon. Photo: Charlie Ban

Though she had kept a relatively low profile since winning the 2016 Marine Corps Marathon, Perry Shoemaker is back after qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials April 28 at the Eugene Marathon. Her 2:43:33 was a PR of more than eight minutes.

“I’m still shocked that I did it,” Perry said a little over a week after the race. “And of course I’m still very excited.”

News

Fundracer$

By Maggie Lloyd

Published June 2, 2018 at 7:52PM | Updated June 5, 2018 at 12:27PM

Robert McManmon runs the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon with his wife, Mary. Photo: Bruce Buckley

Boston, New York, Marine Corps, Chicago. Getting into one of these marathons is half the battle. Year after year, missed qualifying times and bad luck with lotteries are the source of much heartache for runners. To some, racing on behalf of a charity offers a back door to the starting line when all else fails.

But these charity runners will tell you it’s not about the race bib.

Celebrate Running

Celebrate Running – Mike Katz’s medals

By Maggie Lloyd

Published April 25, 2018 at 11:45AM

Mike Katz and his Poäng, along with his race medals. Photo: Steve Laico

What started as an innocent IKEA chair purchase in 2014 has turned into quite the display of race medals for Mike Katz of D.C.

His springy bentwood Poäng, which he pronounces POE-ayng, is adorned with 32 pieces of hardware from marathons, half marathons, relays, ten milers, and more. He layers them on with the completion of each race, hoping (with mixed success) they stay in chronological order.

News

Feudal Efforts: the Dynamic World of Strava Segment Dominance

By Maggie Lloyd

Published January 28, 2018 at 7:06PM | Updated January 10, 2019 at 4:53PM

Julie Dickerson and Caroline Mosley reach for (what is believed to be) the top of the Klingle Valley Trail in Rock Creek Park. Photo: Chris Ferenzi

“If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen.” Runners and bicyclists frequently use this phrase, either jokingly or sincerely, to describe the fitness-tracker-turned-social-network.

Miles, splits, maps and sweaty selfies are all compiled into one social media experience. It may be your non-running friends’ nightmare, but it offers a unique opportunity to connect with both local and international athletes.

News

Perry Shoemaker goes straight to the top

By Maggie Lloyd

Published October 11, 2016 at 10:40AM

Perry Shoemaker finishes second at the Army Ten-Miler for the second year in a row. Photo: Dustin Whitlow/DWhit Photography

“I love running.”

Those three words by Perry Shoemaker explain a lot about her success at the age of 45. She’s won the .US National 12k master’s championship three years in a row. In 2016 she was one of the top 10 American women at the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler. In 2015 she was the second-place woman at the Army Ten-Miler and just missed the 1:15 qualifying time for the Olympic marathon trials with a 1:16:01 half marathon in Philadelphia.