Feature

Published July 18, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated August 8, 2019 at 11:26AM

Photo: Steven Pham

Her athletes are not making headlines or standing on any podiums, but that doesn’t stop Burke’s Kareen Lawson from coaching. With dozens of athletes in the Potomac River Running “Burke Beasts” group under her wing, Lawson is making a difference for athletes of all ages and abilities, with an affinity for the over-40 crowd.

Unlike a lot of runners who started running in high school, Lawson started running as a way to meet friends in her 30s. Until that point, she knew most of her friends through her kids. But when her youngest kid left for college in 2012, she found herself wondering how to make new friends. When a Facebook connection referred her to a training program, Lawson decided that joining the program was a perfect way to make new friends while also losing some weight at the same time.

DCXC

“I don’t have to win medals to understand why I run, and why I never want to stop”

By Adrian Stuphan

Published July 17, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated July 22, 2019 at 6:49PM

Adrian Stuphan Runs the open mile at the DC Road Runners Track Championships. Photo: Dustin Whitlow/DWhit Photography

Back in middle school I played soccer like I wanted to be the next Ronaldo or Messi.

I thought I had found a sport that I would stick with for a long time. But before official fall sports season started, my school wanted to try out a couple of new sports. Cross country sounded like fun. I asked a friend of mine if he wanted to join the team with me, and we both agreed that we would do it.

News

Away from the screen, onto the infield for track fans

By Sophie Tedesco

Published July 16, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated July 16, 2019 at 4:30PM

Spectators lined the infield during the D.C. Road Runners Track Championships, close enough to hear breathing as elite runners circled the track. Photo: Dustin Whitlow/DWhit Photography

When I got to the D.C. Road Runners Track Championship at Dunbar High School, the final meet in the Eastern Track League series, the women’s masters mile was starting.

As a high school runner, I race from September to June. These weeks in between seasons are for following dramatic professional races and the pursuit of record breaking performances. My morning routine now consists of checking Twitter to see which all-time mark went down or which finishing kick dazzled the day before.

Off the Beaten Path

When preparation pays off: The Old Dominion 100

By Sara Davidson

Published July 15, 2019 at 1:00PM | Updated July 15, 2019 at 3:01PM

Sara Davidson cruises through mile 29 of the Old Dominion 100. Photo: Karsten Brown

During the pre-race brief, organizers of the Old Dominion 100-Mile Endurance Run described the race as a battle of the runner against the course against the clock.

Runners have to conquer 100.01 miles of all types of terrain, 14,000 feet of elevation gain, all in Virginia‘s oppressive early June heat and humidity. To count as a finisher, they must complete the course in less than 28 hours; but those who want to go home with a coveted silver belt buckle must do so in less than 24.

Monumental Runner

Monumental Runner – Natalie Atabek

By Charlie Ban

Published July 12, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated July 12, 2019 at 11:18AM

Name: Natalie Atabek

Self-described age group: F 25-29

Aging 'Racefully

Northern Va.’s Roy Englert, 96, breaks world 5k record

By Vanessa Junkin

Published July 11, 2019 at 5:00PM | Updated July 25, 2019 at 5:15PM

Roy Englert pauses briefly after setting the world record for 95-99-year-old men at the USATF Masters Championships in Ames, Iowa July 11.

Springfield resident Roy Englert, 96, ran 42:20.33 to shatter the 5k world record for men 95-99 at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships July 11 in Ames, Iowa. The previous record was 50:10.56.

This article was initially published in June 2018.

News

Race announcers share what it’s like to lead the crowd

By Sarah Beth Hensley

Published July 11, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated July 11, 2019 at 5:21PM

Marc Goldman makes announcements ahead of the Marine Corps Marathon start. Photo: Courtesy of Marc Goldman

You can hear it bellowing from speakers as soon as you arrive at a race: directions to gear check, instructions to get into corrals and details about the race course. And when you finish: encouragement, commentary and pleas to keep moving beyond the finish line.

Race announcers play a huge role in running events — from keeping the race-day timeline to interacting with spectators and informing and encouraging participants. And there are scores of D.C.-area announcers who dedicate their weekends to help make races run smoothly and see that runners have fun and feel a sense of accomplishment no matter their finish time.

News

The worst surprise party – Pace the Nation – 200th episode spectacular

By Pace the Nation

Published July 10, 2019 at 11:00AM

Farley matches wits with Docs’ nieces when guests from the show’s run return to ask questions.

Running Shorts

By Charlie Ban

Published July 9, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated July 9, 2019 at 11:27AM

Photo: Ed Lull

McArthur elaborates on transfer decision; Webb, Miltenberg score new college coaching jobs, Mason sophomore to run at European championships and Quince Orchard distance contributors make Hall of Fame.

Trials Fever

Give Chase Weaverling an inch and he’ll make it a mile

By Charlie Ban

Published July 8, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated July 8, 2019 at 2:32PM

Chase Weaverling outkicks Jim Whalmsley to the finish at the 2019 Houston Half Marathon. Photo: MarathonFoto

If Chase Weaverling didn’t think he was going to qualify for the US Olympic Marathon Trials before starting the Houston Half Marathon, it definitely didn’t help his confidence when he hit the ground a half mile into the race. He clipped the heels of a marathoner he was drafting off of, then stumbled once that the marathoner went down.

Weaverling, who graduated from Poolesville in 2014, was a few months into his post-collegiate running career following a solid four years at the University of Virginia.