News - RunWashington

Leesburg sees a fast-moving Halloween parade

Published October 31, 2013 at 2:30PM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:07PM

Photo: Emily Dusen

The crisp, cool fall weather and the picturesque setting of the Paxton Campus, provided the perfect backdrop for the fourth annual Ghost, Goblins and Ghouls Spooktacular 5k and Scarecrow Sprint Fun Run. The event had a “spooktacular” theme, complete with a costume contest, Halloween themed entertainment, and store trick or treating. Participants came dressed in an array of amazing costumes – there were superheroes, ninja turtles, Disney characters, Care Bears, princesses and a zombie bridal party – to name a few. Everyone arrived not only ready to run, but ready for the costume contest as well.

The 5k race started at 4 pm and took several hundred participants from the Paxton campus throughout the neighborhood streets. The course offered a “spooktacular” feel and is rumored to be haunted. The overall winner was Paul Schoeny, of Hamilton, Va. This was his first time running the Spooktacular 5k, and he finished in a quick 17:24. He enjoyed the race and described the course as “fast and scenic.” He found the event to be fun for the whole family and plans to return next year. On the women’s side, 36-year-old Elizabeth Hollis of Leesburg crossed the finish line first in an impressive 20:45. This was Elizabeth’s second time running the 5k and she improved her time by a full minute from the year before. In 2012, she placed third for women, and was excited for her win.

Military Running: Patrick Fernandez

By Rachel Beckmann

Published October 30, 2013 at 12:35PM | Updated November 4, 2013 at 12:44PM

Patrick Fernandez duels Skeeter Morris during the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon. Photo: Cheryl Young

It’s frustrating when people attribute competitive athletes’ success to natural ability.

Anyone who dabbles in competitive endurance sports knows natural ability will only take you so far. The mind and the heart separate the good from the truly great. In every elite athlete there is a visible intensity with which they pursue nearly everything they do.

Eye on Arlington

By Jacqueline Feldscher

Published October 28, 2013 at 12:33PM | Updated March 26, 2015 at 9:14AM

Scott Brodbeck. Photo: Jimmy Daly

Juggling a full-time job and night classes for an MBA can be hard enough, but somehow Scott Brodbeck managed to find time to train for a marathon too.

Brodbeck, who founded two hyperlocal news sites for Arlington(Arlnow.com), Bethesda (Bethesdanow.com) and Reston (Restonnow.com) generallyworks 8 to 6, but says he “never really takes a break from the day job.” He recently earned his MBA from Georgetown University, where he had class two nights a week in addition to homework. This fall, he tackled his first marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon.

Calway notches MCM title, Olympic Trials qualifier

By Charlie Ban

Published October 28, 2013 at 11:30AM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:28PM

Army Capt. Kelly Calway just after the 19 mile mark of the Marine Corps Marathon. Photo: Jimmy Daly

With a strong lead in the Marine Corps Marathon, Army Capt. Kelly Calway had her opportunity–run harder now or spend seven months regretting it. With an impending deployment to Kuwait waiting for her a week later, the cool day in Washington was her chance to take care of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

She was able to pull things together and close out the race with a 2:42:15, 45 seconds to spare and a 5:48 lead over Gina Slaby. She finished 25th in the 2012 Olympic Trials while running in the Army’s World Class Athlete Program.

Marine Corps midpackers find a lot to like

By Charlie Ban

Published October 28, 2013 at 9:23AM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:28PM

Marine Corps Marathon runners relax and convalesce after the race. Photo: Jimmy Daly

Much like Girma Bedada and Kelly Calway‘s efforts, Mike Kunzer‘s race at the Marine Corps Marathon was the culmination of years of preparation and training.

But Kunzer wasn’t focused on winning the race. He was thrilled to have finished, and it showed on his ebullient face.

Marine Corps Marathon spectators prove running is a team sport

By Dickson Mercer

Published October 27, 2013 at 11:13PM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:28PM

Spectators cheer for family and friends along Jefferson Drive along the National Mall. Photo: Jimmy Daly

They hold their signs proudly while their eyes scan the road.

It’s not easy: being in the right place at the right time.

Men’s MCM winner holds lead for more than 25 miles

By Charlie Ban

Published October 27, 2013 at 10:59PM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:29PM

Wire-to-wire.

It almost has no place in any talk about a marathon, maybe only in a tall tale. The race is too long, too grueling, too open to disruption.

Share Your Marathon Stories With RunWashington

By Kathy Dalby

Published October 27, 2013 at 9:02AM

RunWashington wants you to tell us who has #gotyour6 (military lingo for “got your back”)

Kerri Gallaher Finds Herself in a New Place, Mastering a Strange Race

By Charlie Ban

Published October 21, 2013 at 7:59AM | Updated October 24, 2013 at 12:47PM

Photo: Jimmy Daly

The road under her feet still felt odd to while she held a slim lead in the 2012 Army Ten Miler.

She wasn’t hugging the inside lane, her shoes were spikeless and there was no chance an official would restart the race if someone fell in the first stretch.

Gallagher repeats at Army Ten-Miler, sets event record

By Dickson Mercer

Published October 20, 2013 at 5:22PM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:08PM

Dave Wertz, Andrew Pitts and Ray Pugsley cruise along in mile eight of the Army Ten-Miler. Photo: Charlie Ban

Four miles into last year’s Army Ten-Miler, Kerri Gallagher surged to catch the lead pack. One of her previous miles had been just under 5:30, a pace she worried would catch up with her late in the race.

The defending champion’s goal this morning was to run 5:30s across the board. Gallagher thought it might be too ambitious, she said. But she also knew, with Olympic trials qualifier Elizabeth Maloy and Olympian Julie Culley entered in the race, 5:30s might simply be needed to win.