News - RunWashington

May the Wind Always Be at Your Back

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.

First Colony Run for Shelter 5K Race Report

By Rick Platt

Published March 29, 2011 at 11:52AM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 1:49PM

Performances by Jennifer Quarles, Ann Manciagli, Ann Hirn, and Ken Mitchell highlighted the action at the 16^th annual Housing Partnerships Run for Shelter 5K. The race was held for the second year on a very flat and fast loop course through the First Colony neighborhood. It is the second Colonial Road Runners Grand Prix race of 2011.

In a mild upset, Williamsburg’s Quarles beat Karen Terry of Newport News by 11 seconds, just two weeks after Terry had won the Jamestown Swamp Run 5K over Quarles, 19:36 to 19:40. Last year Terry won easily over Quarles at the Crapolfest 5K, 19:01 to 19:42, and Terry then improved to a CRR best of 18:56 at Governor’s Land in November

Wardian and Tuptova Earn Marathon Titles at Nation’s Capital

By Brenda Barrera

Published March 26, 2011 at 11:56AM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 1:50PM

Long lines of racers get underway.

Under clear skies, chilly race temperatures in the 30s, and the backdrop of the RFK Stadium, more than 13,000 runners finished this year’s SunTrust National Marathon, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield National Half Marathon, and United Way National Team Relay in the Nation’s Capital, setting an all-time record number of participants.

Scope it Out 5K Run/Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness Race Report

By James Moreland

Published March 20, 2011 at 12:00PM | Updated September 25, 2013 at 1:50PM

Below Gurmessa Megerssa breaks the tape.

In typical Washington Metro the weather juked us better than scoring guard in a NCAA March Madness tournament. Colder than normal most of the winter we were torched by nearly eighty on Friday. Saturday racers were greeted with wonderful spring weather in the mid sixties. Then as the real spring dawned at Freedom Plaza the temperatures dipped below freezing.

19th Annual Van Metre 5 Mile Run For Children’s National Medical Center 8K

By Brenda Barrera

Published March 19, 2011 at 3:52PM | Updated October 7, 2013 at 4:00PM

Elite racers get ready to rumble in Jon Hickman photo.

On the cusp of spring more than five hundred runners turned out for a glorious day. Scores of children enjoyed the one mile fun run. This race is famous for its scores of prizes for the young ones as well as the large amounts of money designated for Children’s National Medical Center. This year the check was for $65,000. In today’s race one young lady who you might have thought was more suited for the mile earned the “youngest, fastest award.” Ivy Richerson, just five-year-old ran the full five miles in 52:49.

An Irish Blessing! Sunshine, a Bit o’ Wind, and Record Turnout for St. Patrick’s Day 8K

By Brenda Barrera

Published March 13, 2011 at 3:56PM | Updated October 7, 2013 at 4:01PM

By Brenda Barrera with contribution from Dickson Mercer

It is an Irish blessing familiar to many, “May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face . . .”

¡Vamos 5K! Dodges the Rain in Third Year

By James Moreland

Published March 6, 2011 at 4:32PM | Updated October 7, 2013 at 4:02PM

“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.” Here in hilly northwest the clouds parted for the third annual race.

Though we were warned that all week that it may be time to build an ark, the early morning showers gave way to a delightful cool morning. Though the streets were still wet, the Gods had stopped perspiring on us when the race got underway at 8:30 a.m.