Since his first days coaching at George Washington University, Terry Weir has identified the Atlantic 10 Conference crown as the goal for the men’s cross country program. But so far, the team has faltered each year.

“For one reason or another, we’ve stunk at that meet,” said Weir, head coach for both the men’s and women’s cross country programs.


World record in the track 50k for Tyler Andrews, Collegiate Running Assocition 10k championship for Bethany Sachtleben, mile win for Drew Hunter, a fifth place Boston finish for Georgetown alumnus Andrew Bumbalough and a looming World Para Athletics Marathon World Cup race for Matthew Rodjom.


In 2017, race crews across the country set up clocks, finish lines, traffic control and water stops for 703 marathons. D.C-area runners finished more than 291 of those races. In fact, more than 14,091 times, a local runner has crossed the finish line. That’s nearly 500 more than 2016, when the region notched 13,576 finishes, but down from 2013’s 15,950 local finishes.

The two biggest local marathons claimed the most local finishers, including the winners.


Arlington’s Graham Tribble finished 23rd to lead local finishers Monday at the Boston Marathon, running 2:30:06. Sean Kinne led Washington, D.C. residents in 2:37:23 and Laurel’s Eric Schuler led local Maryland men.

D.C’s  Breana Avalos’s 3:03:42 was the first local female finisher, Germantown’s Erin Kelman ran 3:05:33 led local Maryland finishers and Falls Church’s Christie Wetzel ran 3:08:49 to lead Northern Virginia finishers.


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.

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Ethiopian Jamel Yimer (21) blew apart a large pack of runners in the seventh mile and hung on to beat Ethiopian-born Ayalew Yimer (25) by five seconds, an eternity for a race that usually sees closer margins at the finish line. His 4617 is the fastest winning time since Stephen Sambu‘s 45:29, save for 2015 when the race was only 9.39 miles.Meanwhile Ethiopian Buze Diriba won the women’s race after two straight runner-up finishes here.

Cherry Blossom Ten Mile


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