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.
Rich Mendelowitz sat in a doctor’s office looking at a picture of his brain. The photo lit up on the left side, healthy and full of arteries.
But, the right side was totally blank.
Our Spring 2018 issue is out in running specialty stores, with a look at the year-end runner rankings, Marine Corps Marathon champion Desta Morkama, the state of the local running industry and more!
RunWashington magazine is published twice a year – in April and August. You can also view it online here. Issuu also has back issues dating to August 2013.
Heading into the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, 605 Washington, D.C.-area runners have registered, though some may not race.
Last year, 615 D.C.-area runners crossed the finish line.
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
I ran by it dozens of times on my routine eight-mile loop on Great Falls and Westmoreland. Down at the bottom of the hill near Lemon Road, it looked like nothing more than a neighborhood shortcut..
I don’t remember what prompted me to actually check out what turned out to be the Pimmit Run Trail, but I do remember the odd sense of wonder that took hold when I did. I had some exploring to do.
Coach Herb Tolbert can’t go anywhere in Gaithersburg without someone calling out, “Hey, Coach!”
It’s a testament to his commitment to the community. A retired Gaithersburg High School guidance counselor and one of the school’s track and cross country coaches, Tolbert has been a pillar in the Montgomery County running scene for over 40 years. Still proud and enjoying what he does, Tolbert is nearing the point where he’s coaching his kids’ kids’ kids.
