races

Preparing for the season ahead, runners conquer Greenbelt

Published February 19, 2013 at 12:14AM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:33PM

Winds up to 30 miles per hour, snow flurries in 30 degrees, rolling hills and plenty of warm chili — it’s all in preparation for springtime races and a long-time tradition for the DC Road Runners Club. At the 52nd annual Washington’s Birthday Marathon and Relay, the club brought in more than 500 runners to race on some of Greenbelt’s most challenging roads in an effort to get the athletes primed for the season ahead.

“You don’t get the intensity if you train on your own that you do in a race,” said overall marathon winner Miles Aitken, 29, of Washington D.C.

News

The thrilling rollercoaster on Army-Navy Drive

By Charlie Ban

Published February 11, 2013 at 12:17AM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:26PM

Melani Hom and Myles Matteson kick into the finish at the Love the Run You're With 5k. Photo by Brian Knight, Swim, Bike, Run Photography

The bibs tried, but they couldn’t tell the complete story.

They were color coded, trying to signal people’s relationship status- available(green), in flux (yellow) or taken (red) at the Love the Run You’re With 5k Sunday morning in Arlington.

News

Far from West Virginia, MCRRC runners enjoy country roads

By Jamie Corey

Published February 10, 2013 at 12:22AM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:27PM

Carlton Conant of Kensington grins while climbing a hill during the Country Roads Run Five Mile. Photo by Ken Trombatore

Getting up on a chilly, Sunday morning in February is no challenge for Cindy Conant, 51 of Kensington.

News

Predictions and Resolutions 5k

By Colin Raunig

Published January 4, 2013 at 12:27AM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:27PM

Kevin D'Amanda finishes the DC Road Runners' Predictions and Resolutions 5k on New Year's Day. Photo by DC Road Runners

The race began at noon in Rosslyn’s Gateway Park, following the Mount Vernon trail, and giving full view to the monuments and landmarks that define Washington DC. It’s an optimal choice and healthy alternative for DC area residents looking to continue an intense training regimen or work off holiday impropriety.

“Its very accessible,” said race director Ben Richter, “It starts late, so people have an opportunity to sleep off last night’s indiscretions. We don’t check for BAC. In the past some people have been on the verge of spontaneous human combustion.”

News

Fairfax Four Miler

By Charlie Ban

Published January 3, 2013 at 12:31AM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:27PM

Reston's Alex Benway prepares to break the tape at the Fairfax Four Miler on New Year's Eve. Photo by Brian Knight

Whether or not they noticed the symbolism on the starting line, more than a thousand runners sprinted into the darkness at the Fairfax Four Miler, a scant six hours before the new year began.

[button-red url=”http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-626″ target=”_self” position=”left”] Results[/button-red]The circumnavigated the George Mason University campus and headed back to the finish line in old town Fairfax. The latest-scheduled of the many New Year’s Eve races, it gave runner a chance to take a stab and a rarely-run distance and a chance for a PR before they went about celebrating the new year however they chose.

News

Rotary Resolution 10k

By Dorothy Beal

Published January 2, 2013 at 12:36AM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:27PM

Starting off the New Year on the right foot has become a tradition of many at the Leesburg Rotary Resolution 10k and 4k.

The course, described as challenging by winners Alex Hetherington and Peggy Yetman, starts at Ida Lee Park and runs through [button-red url=”http://www.amazingracetiming.com/results/2013/rehau-rotary-resolution-10k-and-4k/165-results-10k.html” target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red]Historic Morven Park. The recent snow created a damp, muddy cross country type course for the 700 or so runners in both races.

News

Ringing in Hope 5k/10k

By Charlie Ban

Published January 1, 2013 at 12:44AM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:27PM

10k runners on their second lap navigate around 5k at the Ringing in Hope races New Year's Even in Ashburn. Photo by Cheryl Young

Catherine Mitchell bent down to remove the timing chip from her daughter’s shoe at the Ringing in Hope 5k in Ashburn. She paused, stood up to face Emma.

[button-red url=”http://prracing.racebx.com/files/results/4d9205ce-7a0c-46c1-8929-4f56c0a86522/50343fe8-8128-4689-bc5d-7633c0a8651f/ringing%20in%20hope%205k%20overall.htm” target=”_self” position=”left”] 5k Results [/button-red]Great job,” she said. “I’m so proud of you,” and hugged her daughter.

News

Festival of Lights 5k

By Charlie Ban

Published January 1, 2013 at 12:40AM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:27PM

Runners attack the hill at the Bull Run Park Special Events Center grounds during the Festival of Lights 5k. Photo by Charlie Ban

Rob Bell was a little bummed after the Festival of Lights 5k, New Year’s Eve afternoon.”Man, I got beat by a girl,” the former Virginia Wesleyan College runner said, disappointed.

His spirits were buoyed when he heard the girl, Lebanon, N.J.’s Julie Culley, made the U.S. Olympic Team after winning the 5k at the track and field trials.

News

Christmas costumes make Jingle All the Way 8k memorable

By Charlie Ban

Published December 11, 2012 at 12:09PM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:27PM

Caroline Paulsen and Ryan Porter maintain solid paces at the Jingle All the Way 8k despite some unorthodox running outfits. Photos by Brian Knight/Swim Bike Run Photography

Just because Chris Kwiatkowski was running 4:50 pace for the Jingle All the Way 8k, it didn’t mean he didn’t take time to look around.

[button-red url=”http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-2402″ target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red]While he was pulling away from Jeff Brannigan and Dereje Girma to win in 24:00, he glanced around at the Capitol and Pennsylvania Avenue, which he said made the race go by a little faster.

News

Calm winds make Veterans Day 10k a delight

By Charlie Ban

Published November 19, 2012 at 5:16PM | Updated June 25, 2015 at 5:28PM

While racing the Veterans Day 10k last Sunday, runners felt a strange sensation as they rounded Hains Point — still air. It was a rare-enough occurrence that some may have wondered if they would later dine on a breakfast of dodo eggs and unicorn steak.

[button-red url=”http://old.runwashington.com/veterans10k/race-history/event-records.htm” target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red]Just two weeks prior, runners dealt with four miles of variable winds as they rounded West Potomac Park, vulnerable to the breezes coming off the Potomac River in the middle of the Marine Corps Marathon. This morning, a pack of Pacers Racing Team members cruised along in the sun, exerting a measured effort that blew away last year’s times.