News - RunWashington

Mental Health 5K Race Report

Published May 12, 2011 at 1:10PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:51AM

With just one third of the Colonial Road Runners Grand Prix schedule completed as of last Saturday’s Mental Health 5K in Williamsburg, the sixth of 17 races for 2011, the major contenders have emerged for the overall men and women’s titles. All were in attendance at the 16^th annual Eastern State Hospital event.

Youth out sprinted age in both races as Todd Kessler, 28, of Newport News (17:12) out-kicked Stephen Chantry, 56, of Williamsburg (17:14) in the final 50 meters at the Mental Health race. The top two women have gone back-and-forth this year with Karen Terry, 22, of Hampton (18:55) prevailing this time ahead of six-time CRR Grand Prix champion Jennifer Quarles, 39, of Williamsburg (19:03).

8th Angel Kisses 5K – Mini is the Man

By James Moreland

Published May 8, 2011 at 1:15PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:51AM

This Mother’s Day event is for everyone as noted when race starter Kevin asked for a show of hands for everyone who had a mother. It was about older runners as five times for the women and twice for the men, a masters runner has won it all. But it was particularly about the young ones. There was a 2K fun walk as often occurs in family oriented race events but the 5K race was packed with young runners vying for top placement in the three youth divisions.

When the race began quite of few height challenged munchkins bolted up the tough hill to start the race that circled all the way around Point Pleasant Drive. Many flamed out on the opening hill, partly because the expended extra energy talking and laughing among themselves.

Manassas City Police Association Memorial 5K Race Report

By James Moreland

Published May 7, 2011 at 1:30PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:51AM

Year number ten for this runner friendly race featured the year’s nicest weather. Mother’s Day weekend is usually the busiest of the spring with more than fifty races scheduled in the region. This race was a dandy. Joining this lovely neighborhood was for this year’s continued renaissance was the indefatigable Chuck Moeser, 59, of Sterling, VA (left). Never timid and always bare-chested even on cold days, some have speculated that he does not like shirts at all. Not so, after the race he was sporting a tie dye cutoff from the sixties.

For this smallest race of around 200 finishers, even at 59, Moeser was the prohibitive favorite to win it all. After the race, he noted that he really enjoyed the downhill first mile. He had to do it all alone because by the first intersection, 200 meters in the race, he was gone. Though new to the course, there was no chance to get lost. The course meanders through the neighborhood streets, with a nary a moving vehicle to be found, but the signage was so clear even the novice runner could not get lost.

33rd Patriot’s Cup Corporate Challenge 8K Beats the Rain

By James Moreland

Published May 1, 2011 at 1:35PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:51AM

Fairfax is home to a number of races throughout the year. Saturday, the inaugural Fairfax CASA 10K got underway less than a mile from the sprawling George Mason University campus. Sunday morning it was time for the 33^rd showing of the Patriot’s Cup Corporate Challenge 8K. The event is open to all but the main feature is the spirited competition among the corporations for bragging rights. With much construction on the campus only about half of Patriot’s Circle was open to runners. There are a handful of certified courses to choose from. The race is really very fast though runners are treated to three trips up the hill in front of the Center for the Arts. Gladly, the opening 150 meters is downhill to the Circle. Once on the circuit runners head generally uphill to the 1500 point of the race. They leave the campus and take a long, increasingly down hill road to bend back to the starting area. Hitting the Circle the second time is a little like whiplash as the hill rises up to meet the runners. The trick is to keep grinding away because from three to 4.5 miles is a return to the pleasure cruise section of the course. The third trip up the hill is the final two minutes of the race where adrenaline kicks in to help you hold place.

Last year top ranked sub master Aaron Church won it all in an easy 25:06. So, perhaps Hugh Toland was a little surprised that an opening 5:10 separated him from the field. He cruised home in 26:32 and after the race hardly seemed to have broken into a sweat. The cool morning was perfectly aligned to a runner’s needs, though the skies began to weep as the awards were being announced.

Fairfax CASA Run for the Children 10K and 3K Gets it Right on the First Try

By James Moreland

Published April 30, 2011 at 1:53PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:50AM

Ryan Deak makes it look easy, racing home in 34:07.

The wind was blowing so strong that the balloon arch needed two handlers. The day was sunny but cool as the quixotic season bounced from hot to cold. Perhaps the first things runners noticed for this first time race is the great signage. From all sides there were signs and marshals leading the runners to the free parking, registration, and the starting lines for the 10K at 8:30 a.m. and the 3K at 9:00 a.m.

Renjifo Repeats at the 33rd Clyde’s 10K

By James Carbary

Published April 23, 2011 at 2:44PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:50AM

Not often does a 47-year-old woman win a large format race such as Clyde’s 10K, but that is exactly what Robyn Humphrey did last Sunday, April 17, 2011. The Howard County Striders Master Runner of 2010 led from start to finish and fulfilled a lifelong dream of winning the race.

“It was on my bucket list,” Robyn said. “And I wasn’t getting younger.”

May the Wind Always Be at Your Back

By Jim Hage

Published April 17, 2011 at 2:56PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:50AM

Kenyans Julius Kogo and Risper Gesabwa took advantage of a prevailing tailwind to set men’s and women’s course records of 28 minutes 6 seconds and 32:07 at the 16^th Kaiser Permanente Pike’s Peek 10K in Rockville.

And while the point-to-point course notably features a net loss in elevation, give the winners, four new age-group record holders, the many who lowered their PRs, and all of the 2,558 finishers their due: Rockville Pike rolls down and up and the early-morning wind was gusty and changeable. The day the wind blows steadily from the north, even these formidable records will fall.

Running is Still Booming

By James Moreland

Published April 14, 2011 at 3:01PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:50AM

Photo below: runners kick off the spring racing season at the St. Patrick’s Day 8K.

Running is going just the reverse of the economy. Races for spring are already in full b(l)oom. People must have more time to race and more and more are aware that running is good for your health. It is so good sometimes that it might be feared addictive. We will have to wait for another study for the answer.

27th George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Mile & 5K

By George Banker

Published April 10, 2011 at 3:05PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:49AM

Pacers Running Stores is proud to announce the 27^th running of the George Washington Parkway Classic and 13^th running of the accompany 5K on Sunday, April 10, 2011. The George Washington Parkway Classic, presented by Pacers Running Stores, boasts a USATF certified course along the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway. The 10-mile event starts at Mount Vernon Estates and the 5K starting at Belle Haven Park. The two events will end along Union Street at Oronoco Bay Park in historic Old Town, Alexandria. The event beneficiary is the Alexandria Boys and Girls Club, and Back on My Feet DC.

The race is rich in history and the period 1985-2001 the event was a 15K and since 2002 the event has been one of the area’s top 10-milers. The course affords each runner to challenge their fitness level over the point-to-point course with a couple of gently rolling hill with the last three-quarters of a mile flat straight away along Union Street. The majority of the tree lined course follows along the banks of the Potomac River. This is the event for every racing calendar.

Bridesmaids No More

By Jim Hage

Published April 3, 2011 at 3:10PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 11:49AM

After nine miles of a back-and-forth battle with Allan Kiprono at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, Lelisa Desisa (left) appeared headed for a second straight photo finish. Last year’s race came down to the wire and ended unhappily for Desisa when he was literally pushed aside by the winner, Stephen Tum, in a pell-mell sprint. Desisa finished second.

So this year the Ethiopian made his move with 800 meters to go, decisively dropping Kiprono and cruising alone to the tape as the undisputed champion in a event record 45 minutes 36 seconds – Ismael Kirui set the record of 45:38 in 1995.