Editor’s note: Five years ago, we published one of my favorite stories, and I wanted to share it with you here.
Matthew Hua relished his first season of cross country at J.E.B. Stuart High School (now Justice High School). With no prior athletic background, his 24-minute three mile time is a point of pride. Lifelong health problems have been an obstacle in his running career, but they haven’t stopped him from fully participating as part of the team — except maybe in the team dinners.
The National Capital 20 Miler is the DC area’s premier fall marathon tune-up race. Runners will have access to a flat and fast out-and-back course on the C&O Towpath with multiple water stations along the way. Runners also have the option to register for the Janet Braunstein 5 Miler, which also takes place on the Towpath. Register now to guarantee your race hoodie!
Both events start on the Towpath by the North Parking Lot at Carderock Recreation Area.
Westminster School’s annual 5K ($45), 1K ($15), and Fun Run ($10) on Saturday, November 7th at 9:00am is a spirited community event open to students, families, and friends of all ages and fitness levels. With courses designed for everyone—from a fun 1K for beginners to a more challenging 5K—participants can walk, jog, or race their way through the beautiful campus.
We have amazing cash prizes and give aways, making it an ideal way to enjoy a day outdoors with loved ones. Join in to support school programs, meet new people, and celebrate wellness together!
Name: Hannah A.
Self-described age group: Millennial (25)
The weekend of the 2019 Houston Marathon, Maura Linde reviewed the course map for a final time — not to make sure she had every turn, hill, and water station memorized, but rather to scope out the medical aid stations so she could drop out with people nearby.
“I really did think I wasn’t going to finish it,” she said.
Chip time doesn’t mean a thing while chasing an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. It was going to be up to Rachel Viger to hurry across the starting line at the California International Marathon, then run the 26.2 miles even faster than the 2:45:00 qualifying time.
She wound up taking 12 seconds to get across the starting line because she didn’t make the elite start, coming into the Dec. 8 race with just a 3:03:59 personal best, set a year before at the Marine Corps Marathon. From that alone, running under 2:45, plus those extra seconds, would seem daunting. But she did it, with 46 seconds to spare.
In 2011, Mark Robinson, a longtime coach at Catholic University, was at a crossroads.
He was essentially juggling two full-time careers: His job as head cross country coach and assistant track coach at Catholic, and his job as a curriculum manager for a D.C. nonprofit.
Running along the C&O Canal Towpath last fall, Dan Meteer bumped into Arlingtonians Mike Crozier and Clint McKelvey. Typically a solo runner, Meteer joined them, and listened to the two discuss a friend’s marathon training.
By Meteer’s retelling, they expressed skepticism their friend was running enough to help him break 2:19 and qualify him for the Olympic Marathon Trials. Approaching his own debut marathon at California International a few months later, Meteer, 24, was eager to hear their opinions, then horrified.