News - RunWashington

A healthy outing before Clarendon Day consumption

Published September 18, 2016 at 5:58PM | Updated September 19, 2016 at 12:57PM

Ashburn's John Johnson storms down Clarendon Boulevard on his way to a 48:10 10k. Photo: Swim Bike Run Photography

With fall racing season upon us, runners of all ages and abilities converged on the 2016 Clarendon Day races. The 5k/10k/double race fell a week earlier than usual, and though September weather can be unpredictable, the morning dawned mild and slightly overcast. Undeterred by Safetrack delays, 1,145 runners gathered atop Wilson Boulevard to start the 5k. After the races, daylong festival

The course was quiet except for the pounding of shoes and panting of the fastest runners. Dashing towards Rosslyn, Clint McKelvy (14:36) of Arlington took an early lead that became insurmountable by the end of the second mile. At the finish line, McKelvy and his cheering squad debated his finish time, which fell just two seconds short of the course record.

Oatlands offers early test for hopeful teams

By Charlie Ban

Published September 17, 2016 at 10:49PM | Updated June 25, 2018 at 4:47PM

Rohann Asfaw and Peter Morris lead Alex Scranc and Colton Bogucki through the last half mile at the Oatlands Invitational. Photo: Charlie Ban

The rolling, sometimes steep, hills of Leesburg’s Oatlands Invitational are a wake up call for a lot of runners.

“This is the race that snaps you back into cross country,” said Abbey Green, a Walter Johnson junior who finished second. “This is where you get some great competition on a hard course and really test yourself.”

DiGregorio wins second Parks Half title

By Laura Scaduto

Published September 12, 2016 at 11:13AM

Photo: Ann McDermott

She might have had a little more sweat in her eyes this time, but Megan DiGregorio still found her way to Bethesda to win the Parks Half Marathon for the second time in three years.

The humidity made a difference this year, but didn’t keep her from putting a nearly-one-minute lead over Michelle Miller, of Damascus, 1:24:45 to 1:25:40.

D.C.’s Running Superfan

By Jamie Corey

Published September 12, 2016 at 11:05AM | Updated October 22, 2019 at 2:25PM

Max Nacheman saw a red dot in the distance as he approached mile 35 of the JFK 50 Mile. The D.C.-based first-time ultra runner was trudging along a lonely stretch of the course between aid stations and was tired. His knees hurt. Struggling to hit 10-minute miles, he could see his goal time slipping away.

“There was me and one other guy, but we couldn’t see anyone ahead of us or anyone behind us,” Nacheman said. “And we weren’t really talking…we were just suffering next to each other.”

Heat slows, cancels races at Monroe Parker Invitational

By Charlie Ban

Published September 10, 2016 at 6:37PM | Updated June 25, 2018 at 4:47PM

Heather Holt takes an early lead at the Monroe Parker Invitational at Burke Lake. Photo: Charlie Ban

Nearing two miles at the Monroe Parker Invitational, runners emerged from the shade that protected them for most of the course at Burke Lake.

If they didn’t already feel the stifling humidity, they certainly felt the sun beating down on them, and the times for the 2.98 mile race reflected that. Those conditions combined to first move the varsity races earlier and on race day prompt the cancellation of four junior varsity races. The freshmen races went off before the varsity races.

Oakton grad goes from the sales floor to the design desk

By Laura Scaduto

Published September 6, 2016 at 9:14AM | Updated October 8, 2019 at 3:40PM

Claire Wood In Boston. Photo: Pamela Hersch

The stories of women’s closets bursting at the seams with pair after pair of shoes of every style and color are legendary. Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made the lust for Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos standard household fare. Sexy, stylish and always a fashion statement, shoes are not just a wardrobe staple. They are an expression of who the wearer is and where the wearer is going.

To Claire Wood, a native Virginian, shoes are as important in her life as they ever were to Carrie. It’s just a different kind of shoe – and a different life. From high school on, running shoes, not heels or espadrilles or sandals, have been a defining factor in Woods’ existence. Earlier in life, she wore them and then sold them, and now, she makes them. Wood is the senior footwear product manager in Performance Running at New Balance in Boston and is as happy as Imelda Marcos checking out the 3000 pairs of shoes in her closet.

Marine Corps Marathon course to change, starting line to remain open later for SafeTrack

By Charlie Ban

Published August 31, 2016 at 3:04PM | Updated October 26, 2016 at 6:20PM

Runners won't get this far up Rock Creek Parkway during the Marine Corps Marathon this year. Photo: Cheryl Young

The Marine Corps Marathon course will change and the starting line will be open 40 minutes longer to allow the race to go on in spite of WMATA’s SafeTrack restrictions on the Metro system. The accompanying 10k will be run entirely in Arlington County this year. The race will also offer shuttle buses from various parking locations in Virginia and Washington, D.C. and Arlington Transit will open a bus line early. The race starts on U.S. 110, close to the Pentagon Metro station.

The Marine Corps Marathon starting line will be open for 40 additional minutes, until 8:55 a.m.

Running Shorts – Aug. 29

By Charlie Ban

Published August 28, 2016 at 10:06PM

Following Georgetown Director of Track and Field Mike Smith‘s departure to Northern Arizona University, Julie Culley has been promoted to head coach for women’s cross country. The Montgomery County Parks Department […]