By James Moreland
Ashburn, VA
June 11, 2011
For the Washington Running Report
Virginia Pons moves past the starting line at the first loop.
The Potomac River Twilight 4 mile race has built a solid reputation as a family event. While providing some of most competitive races at this less than common distance, the well attended mile fun run and all the entertainment after the event keep the race high in recidivism. While the classic rock band Dolley Sodds was warming up, event director Ray Pugsley was scurrying around filling a kid’s pool with ice to cool off the many different kinds of liquid refreshment awaiting the returning road warriors. Everyone knows that in this region June is really summer no matter what the calendar says. Pugsley was smiling as he said, “We dodged a bullet.” Indeed, after two record setting days in the last week, this year’s temperature in the low 80s seemed almost kind.
Owning the fourth fastest time of 20:07 from his runner-up spot in 2009 made Aaron Church, 35, the favorite. Church (left takes the final strides) was coming off a top ranking in the winter in his division and he was feeling good. Still, nobody told the other racers that he would win. On the way back past the starting line at about 2K in the race Church was riding easily in the back of a pack of seven racers. They had cruised through the opening mile in 4:49, which would put them on pace to take on Steve Crane’s event record of 19:47 from 2008. The race announcer keep the finish line informed by radio as they pushed through the next mile still sub 5:00.
Though perhaps the kindest day of the first five years, the race was really heating up, in more ways than one. After the race was done Church noted that he did not have a real speed, [not] and he made his break about 2.5 miles into the event. He did not want to leave the race to a sprint at the end. As the pack broke up a couple of the racers called it quits and dropped. Kent Pecora was from North Carolina and an unknown, clinging to the pace. Hugh Toland had won three races in the spring including a 15:45 5K. Ryan Deak had two wins and a 15:44 5K. As the runners came in view for the final two hundred meters, it was clear that Church would prevail. Church’s only race in the spring was a third overall four mile race in 20:43. This time he improved his pace to take it all in an event age group record 20:25. Pecora was next in 20:38. Deak looked really tired for a man moving so fast and settled for third place cash at 20:46. Toland was fourth in 21:02.
Coming up form the south was Williamsburg’s John Piggott. Piggott, 46, (left) as always, is training for the half marathon where he seems to excel the best. He had run 14 miles in the morning but “no one was pushing” him. As it turned out, he ended up in no man’s land in the race with no one within sight of him on either side. He did not even feel the pressure to press at the end. Still, he slipped in past the former course record held by the formidable Ted Poulos (22:42 – 2007) with a fine 22:30. That is the second fastest master time behind Darrell General’s 21:28 set in 2007.
Elite grandmaster George Buckheit (below) had the third fastest 50 and older time and one of the best lifetime racing résumés in the region – PR of 13:43 for 5K and 28:39 for 10K. Still, he just laughed when asked if he was going to break the tape this time. New minted grandmaster Jean Christophe Arcaz is a prolific racer and he always seems to do his best when the competition is tough. During his forties he and Ted Poulos had scores of close battles. This time he took the top grandmaster spot in 23:42 for 13th overall. The grandmaster best was set by Chuck Moeser in 2009 with 23:15.
Former age group winner Richard Adams, 60, was too tired to look around to see that nobody was close as he won by nearly three minutes In 26:54. His daughter was out on the course racing as well. Meanwhile Jason Page, 66, an age group record holder was on hand to watch his daughter race as well. She sure looked good racing. Page was at the Cascades Firechase 10K to watch another daughter win it all last month. Page will be back on the roads in time to take a shot at returning his rankings crown this summer.
In the morning the Lawyers have Heart race was turned into a 5K because of the heat. That was okay for Bob Gurtler, 76, of the Plains, VA. He had already run 35 of them this year. Still, by evening he was already itching to put in some more miles, winning his age group.
When John Piggott heard the top woman coming in he perked up his ears. Did they say Williamsburg? He knew he would know all the top racers from his hometown. Darcy McDonald led a well spaced line of young runners to the finish line. She ran the event’s third fastest time, 23:07. Laurel Jefferson followed in the sixth fastest time with 23:35. Third place went to Margie Shapiro with the seventh fastest time in 23:53. Only eight women have broken 24:00 on this course.
Shapiro is a =PR= owner. Her fine race was her first race in several years.
Master winner Linda Foley will soon be fifty. Finishing sixth in 25:49 she was not far off her overall winning time form the first year, 2007, when she ran 25:23. For the grandmasters, Liza Recto had just turned 55 and she thought she had a chance to medal. When the called her name as first in 32:02, she learned the she was top grandmaster as well, not far of the 55-59 record of 31:36.
On each runner’s bib was an F tag for food and a B tag for beer. Beer of course only went to adults but the burritos from Moe’s Southwest Grill went to all the runners. There were all kinds of juices, water, and soda as well as doughnuts, cookie, chips. Nobody was going to leave hungry. As the band started up, hundreds of runners mingled around the circus-like venue. There was a dunk tank and moon bounces, and the soft ice cream stand quickly formed a line.
When the awards were being announced, many of the runners were still eating and drinking. It sure is wonderful to get the awards so fast that everyone is still there to get them. While the race totals very with the temperatures over the years. This year’s 989 four mile finishers combined with the fun runners to more than 1100 participants which are very close to the most ever.
Overall Female
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Darcy McDonald Williamsburg VA 479 24 10 23:06.2 23:06.9 5:47/M
2 Laurel Jefferson Washington DC 539 25 14 23:33.3 23:34.1 5:53/M
3 Margaret Shapiro Herndon VA 642 34 17 23:51.9 23:52.1 5:58/M
Female Masters
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Linda Foley Oak Hill VA 204 49 33 25:47.0 25:48.2 6:27/M
Female 14 & Younger
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Adriana Rosas Silver Spring MD 857 11 113 30:06.6 30:08.2 7:32/M
2 Brenda Rosas Silver Spring MD 859 12 151 31:28.0 31:28.8 7:52/M
3 Emily Landeryou Reston VA 863 11 256 34:59.7 35:09.0 8:45/M
Female 15 to 19
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Corey Bolyard Sterling VA 544 16 98 29:41.5 29:46.5 7:25/M
2 Kelly O'Toole Woodbridge VA 506 18 101 29:47.0 29:55.0 7:27/M
3 Alayna Bigalbal Leesburg VA 607 15 132 30:44.1 30:45.0 7:41/M
Female 20 to 24
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Petra Cotes Annandale VA 386 22 24 24:56.7 24:57.0 6:14/M
2 Meagan Klein Arlington VA 803 24 149 31:25.4 31:37.5 7:51/M
3 Maddie Humphrey Reston VA 279 23 159 31:40.1 32:12.0 7:55/M
Female 25 to 29
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Sarah Bard Leesburg VA 382 26 31 25:40.8 25:41.5 6:25/M
2 Kathryn Neeper Washington DC 430 27 37 26:03.3 26:03.6 6:31/M
3 Michelle Christine Leesburg VA 641 29 108 29:53.1 29:56.6 7:28/M
Female 30 to 34
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Jennifer Pantall Sterling VA 414 32 76 28:26.1 28:30.8 7:07/M
2 Mary Otto Centreville VA 648 30 111 29:54.9 29:57.6 7:29/M
3 Amanda Statz Alexandria VA 69 32 118 30:17.4 30:20.6 7:34/M
Female 35 to 39
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Nancy Eiring Washington DC 827 38 56 26:59.3 27:00.8 6:45/M
2 Tatiana Sheptock South Riding VA 563 35 67 28:03.4 28:05.8 7:01/M
3 Alison Gittelman South Riding VA 34 38 71 28:13.7 28:17.8 7:03/M
Female 40 to 44
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Mijiko Phelps Reston VA 522 41 43 26:24.9 26:26.2 6:36/M
2 Kim Isler Oakton VA 404 43 59 27:16.9 27:17.8 6:49/M
3 Sue Piergallini Ashburn VA 493 44 106 29:51.2 30:03.0 7:28/M
Female 45 to 49
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Anita Freres Reston VA 871 46 65 27:43.5 27:51.2 6:56/M
2 Karen Ames Purcellville VA 496 45 154 31:32.0 31:40.0 7:53/M
3 Stephanie Cappello Ashburn VA 835 47 187 32:40.1 32:54.2 8:10/M
Female 50 to 54
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Cynthia Revesman Oak Hill VA 504 50 188 32:44.2 32:58.6 8:11/M
2 Paula Looney Ashburn VA 371 50 221 34:05.8 34:11.0 8:31/M
3 Shari Sturm McLean VA 282 50 295 35:55.5 36:39.8 8:59/M
Female 55 to 59
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Lisa Recto Lexington Park MD 707 55 167 31:57.5 32:02.1 7:59/M
2 Carla Bourgeois Montclair VA 840 58 345 36:56.8 37:16.4 9:14/M
3 Liz Roberts Leesburg VA 589 55 361 37:23.8 37:37.8 9:21/M
Female 60 to 64
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Lucille Walke Ashburn VA 674 62 45 26:28.8 26:28.8 6:37/M
2 Gayle Novig McLean VA 378 60 564 42:52.0 43:14.9 10:43/M
Overall Male
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Aaron Church South Riding VA 501 35 1 20:24.9 20:24.9 5:06/M
2 Kent Pecora Chapel Hill NO 524 22 2 20:37.7 20:37.7 5:09/M
3 Ryan Deak Burke VA 843 25 3 20:45.6 20:45.6 5:11/M
Male Masters
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 John Piggott Williamsburg VA 554 46 8 22:29.9 22:29.9 5:37/M
Male 14 & Younger
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Nathan Vigil Ashburn VA 786 13 102 29:48.0 29:50.7 7:27/M
2 Adam Bolton Leesburg VA 332 11 168 31:57.6 32:10.2 7:59/M
3 Eli Lifland Fairfax VA 869 12 210 33:46.1 33:52.6 8:27/M
Male 15 to 19
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Logan Feierbach Leesburg VA 396 16 22 24:22.3 24:22.6 6:06/M
2 Samuel Rodgers Leesburg VA 560 16 40 26:12.4 26:13.0 6:33/M
3 Mark Newberry Ashburn VA 537 16 51 26:48.8 26:49.3 6:42/M
Male 20 to 24
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Ethan Rissell Shippensburg PA 387 21 5 21:12.4 21:12.4 5:18/M
2 Matt Weber Sterling VA 626 20 23 24:30.2 24:30.2 6:08/M
3 Darin Miller Arlington VA 320 23 25 25:00.1 25:09.3 6:15/M
Male 25 to 29
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Josh Peterson Minneapolis MN 801 27 7 21:56.7 21:56.7 5:29/M
2 Justin Fritzius Purcellville VA 902 26 9 22:51.4 22:51.4 5:43/M
3 Pat DeRocco Arlington VA 571 27 12 23:26.6 23:27.1 5:52/M
Male 30 to 34
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Hugh Toland Fairfax VA 551 30 4 21:01.7 21:01.7 5:15/M
2 Aaron Schwartzbard Reston VA 600 33 6 21:18.8 21:18.8 5:20/M
3 Thomas Abbey Centreville VA 211 30 50 26:46.0 26:49.6 6:42/M
Male 35 to 39
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Marco Rosas Silver Spring MD 858 36 16 23:45.5 23:46.1 5:56/M
2 Rich Roberts Washington DC 818 39 18 24:06.2 24:08.0 6:02/M
3 Rob Meadows Landsdowne VA 759 39 19 24:10.6 24:10.6 6:03/M
Male 40 to 44
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Todd Jarman Potomac Falls VA 375 41 11 23:24.0 23:24.1 5:51/M
2 Kevin Bell Reston VA 666 42 13 23:30.0 23:30.1 5:53/M
3 Stephen Crago Vienna VA 254 42 20 24:11.9 24:13.5 6:03/M
Male 45 to 49
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 George Lane Ashburn VA 123 45 27 25:07.1 25:09.0 6:17/M
2 Dan DiFonzo Rockville MD 624 48 39 26:08.7 26:09.6 6:32/M
3 Rich Harfst Annandale VA 795 47 54 26:53.9 26:56.7 6:43/M
Male 50 to 54
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Jean Christophe Arcaz Rockville MD 829 50 15 23:41.3 23:41.7 5:55/M
2 George Buckheit Reston VA 842 53 28 25:14.5 25:15.5 6:19/M
3 David Pinnick Manassas VA 650 54 47 26:33.1 26:35.9 6:38/M
Male 55 to 59
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Chris Dettmar Reston VA 408 57 103 29:48.0 29:57.7 7:27/M
2 Stephen Nettl Reston VA 526 58 268 35:12.2 35:52.2 8:48/M
3 Ray Deegan Leesburg VA 274 55 269 35:13.2 35:35.6 8:48/M
Male 60 to 64
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Richard Adams Herndon VA 660 60 55 26:54.1 26:54.5 6:44/M
2 Jay Wind Arlington VA 706 61 96 29:35.3 29:37.3 7:24/M
3 Daniel Bentz Oak Hill VA 88 60 510 41:29.1 42:06.0 10:22/M
Male 70 to 74
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Tim Long Reston VA 306 70 503 41:15.0 41:32.0 10:19/M
Male 75 and older
Over Chip Gun
Place Name City Bib No Age all Time Time Pace
1 Robert Gurtler The Plains VA 272 76 600 44:38.5 44:45.2 11:10/M
By James Moreland
Chantilly, VA
May 8, 2011
For the Washington Running Report
This Mother’s Day event is for everyone as noted when race starter Kevin asked for a show of hands for everyone who had a mother. It was about older runners as five times for the women and twice for the men, a masters runner has won it all. But it was particularly about the young ones. There was a 2K fun walk as often occurs in family oriented race events but the 5K race was packed with young runners vying for top placement in the three youth divisions.
When the race began quite of few height challenged munchkins bolted up the tough hill to start the race that circled all the way around Point Pleasant Drive. Many flamed out on the opening hill, partly because the expended extra energy talking and laughing among themselves.
“So, you wanna walk.” “I am getting tired.” “Whoa, I almost ran into that parked car.” These were some of the things heard until the race crested the hill and reenergized. Youth runners are so resilient.
After the race there was lots of food. Some of it partially covered to protect for the tiny, harmless shower that started just before the race began. The race is known for having lots of random prizes. In fact, they have a separate bucket for adult and for children, both were full. Nearly everyone stayed around to – take a chance.
Before the award’s ceremony began we were told of why the race was originally created. This race was created in honor of a special little boy, Jeffrey Virostek, who lost his brave battle with leukemia on September 25, 2003, at the age of 4 1/2. Angel Kisses is a fund-raising 5K/2K Race to benefit the Jeffrey Virostek Fund.
Jeffrey’s cousin Tim raced well today finishing fifth overall in a time that would have won the race in some of the past years.
Then the microphone was handed over to six-year-old Timmy Tyrrell. He clearly explained why he decided to help raise money. A friend of his, Ella Day, needed help. She had gone through chemotherapy last year. He called her to the stage and she looked great. Her dad told us Timmy was “an adult in a little boy’s body.”
Timmy held up the check for the Virosteks and then reverted partly to being a kid with, “I have here a check for … for a lot of money.” Mrs. Virostek gratefully accepted the check for $3,541.92 that had been raised in just the past month.
Timmy Tyrell is one of the Featured Athletes on the Inspired Athletes Web Site. With the assistance of Inspired Athletes, Mini has dedicated this season to racing for the Jeffrey Virostek Fund to contribute to the fight against childhood cancer.
Even with the light rain the field passed 2009 as the second largest field with 410 finishers in the 5K. Only twice has the time been faster than 17:00 minutes. Back in 2008 Abiyot Abebe toasted the field in 15:24 breaking Ryan Deak’s 16:07 record from the year before. This year it was clear that competition makes for fast times. Just past the turnaround at mile two, a trio of runners were jockeying for position with Jared Campbell looming in the background. Justin Fritzius, 26, of Purcellville had a slight edge and younger legs than 41-year-old Eric Sorenson. Unlike Derby runner Shackleford who faded to fourth after leading all the way, he would hold his lead and win in 16:37 for the third fastest time. The next three runners all broke 17 minutes. Sorenson destroyed the masters record with 16:42 with Byrce Wilk right on his heels in 16:45. Campbell was second in his division behind Wilk in 16:59.
For the women, Laura Friex (left)had won it all the first two years, 2004-5. Now on the cusp of being a grandmaster she would hold off Barbara Wigle, 44, by six seconds to take the masters title in 21:17. This was Wigle’s fourth year and she always finishes in the top six, winning the masters in 2007 before giving way to Linda Foley, another runner turning fifty this year. Foley won it all in both 2008 and 2009. Last year national class racer Alisa Harvey, 44, set the record in a runaway with 18:43 setting aside Jackie Gruendel’s 2006 record 19:10.
This year the two masters, Freix and Wigle had their own little battle while the top three runners dueled for the top spot. Jennifer Chapman had the honor of breaking the tape in 20:21. Julie Sapper, 38, a regular Ranked Runner, was next in 20:27. Meredith Samson took the third spot winning her age group in 20:40.
While many of the age group times were not competitive, even the 70 and older fields filled up, though both women traveled across the country for the event. Second for the men was one of the most prolific racers in the region, Bob Gurtler, 76, of the Plains, VA. Gurtler finished his 30th 5K of the year with 52 totals races already in the bag for 2011.
Awards Listing (No Duplicate Prizes)
FEMALE OVERALL
Place Num Name Ag City Gun T Net T Pace
===== ===== ====================== == ================== ===== ===== =====
1 477 Jennifer Chapman 26 Centreville VA 20:21 20:18 6:32
2 471 Julie Sapper 38 Rockville MD 20:27 20:25 6:35
MALE OVERALL
Place Num Name Ag City Gun T Net T Pace
===== ===== ====================== == ================== ===== ===== =====
1 484 Justin Fritzius 26 Purcellville VA 16:37 16:37 5:21
2 51 Eric Sorensen 41 Annandale VA 16:42 16:39 5:22
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 1 - 10 (NET TIME)
1 80 Nicole Re 10 Chantilly VA 25:09 25:06 8:06
2 232 Roshni Puli 10 Chantilly VA 30:02 29:56 9:38
MALE AGE GROUP: 1 - 10 (NET TIME)
1 249 Harrison Shay 10 Chantilly VA 23:41 23:38 7:37
2 209 Ted Ellis 10 Chantilly VA 24:21 24:20 7:50
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 11 - 14 (NET TIME)
1 243 Nora Raher 14 Centreville VA 22:24 22:11 7:09
2 253 Alexa McAnally 12 Centreville VA 23:17 23:12 7:29
MALE AGE GROUP: 11 - 14 (NET TIME)
1 420 Adam Huff 14 Chantilly VA 18:16 18:16 5:53
2 58 Connor Phillips 14 Oakton VA 19:50 19:46 6:22
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 18 (NET TIME)
1 163 Virginia Walsh 15 Chantilly VA 25:18 24:50 8:00
2 281 Kate O'Shea 15 Fairfield CT 26:50 26:41 8:36
MALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 18 (NET TIME)
1 122 Tim Virostek 15 Columbia MD 18:07 18:04 5:49
2 424 Kyle Hollcroft 17 Manassas VA 20:53 20:45 6:41
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 19 - 29 (NET TIME)
1 459 Karen Haddon 25 Aldie VA 21:28 21:27 6:55
2 246 Jessica Kelly 25 Arlington VA 23:09 23:07 7:27
MALE AGE GROUP: 19 - 29 (NET TIME)
1 247 Bryce Wilk 25 Arlington VA 16:45 16:43 5:23
2 463 Jared Campbell 25 Alexandria VA 16:59 16:57 5:28
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 39 (NET TIME)
1 458 Meredith Samson 30 South Riding VA 20:40 20:39 6:39
2 30 Susie Lynch 34 Annandale VA 22:48 22:29 7:15
MALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 39 (NET TIME)
1 321 Micheal Zurface 32 Fayetteville NC 19:09 19:05 6:09
2 485 Bill Pilkington 39 South Riding VA 21:20 21:17 6:51
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 49 (NET TIME)
1 356 Laura Freix 49 Centreville VA 21:17 21:15 6:51
2 455 Barbara Wigle 44 Centreville VA 21:23 21:21 6:53
MALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 49 (NET TIME)
1 461 Edward Siegfried 45 Fairfax VA 18:57 18:52 6:05
2 402 Eldon MacK 46 Centreville VA 19:51 19:51 6:24
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 59 (NET TIME)
1 497 Gigi Louden 59 Annandale VA 37:16 36:13 11:40
2 144 Paula Lovric 50 Fairfax VA 40:37 39:06 12:35
MALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 59 (NET TIME)
1 97 Myron Kremer 54 Winchester VA 21:51 21:50 7:02
2 14 Michael Ruth 51 Oak Hill VA 22:32 22:19 7:11
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 69 (NET TIME)
1 42 Kerry Rader 62 South Riding VA 40:00 39:29 12:43
MALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 69 (NET TIME)
1 271 Jack Harvey 60 Centreville VA 26:40 26:29 8:32
2 155 James Protiva 67 Locust Grove VA 35:16 35:06 11:18
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 70 - 99 (NET TIME)
1 70 Judith Phillips 72 Fresno CA 41:52 41:35 13:23
2 284 Nora O'Shea 75 Carol Stream IL 52:17 51:50 16:41
MALE AGE GROUP: 70 - 99 (NET TIME)
1 462 Chet Coates 71 Silver Spring MD 29:34 29:14 9:25
2 126 Robert Gurtler 76 The Plains VA 30:34 30:18 9:46
By James Moreland
Fairfax, VA
April 30, 2011
For the Washington Running Report
Ryan Deak makes it look easy, racing home in 34:07.
The wind was blowing so strong that the balloon arch needed two handlers. The day was sunny but cool as the quixotic season bounced from hot to cold. Perhaps the first things runners noticed for this first time race is the great signage. From all sides there were signs and marshals leading the runners to the free parking, registration, and the starting lines for the 10K at 8:30 a.m. and the 3K at 9:00 a.m.
In the square, surrounded by spring flowers, the event was well organized. Centered by the stage and the energizing music, runners took note that there was a fully stocked chow line for after the race. Both races had the same finish line but the starting lines were not in sight of each other. The finish line was on the east side of the square on West Street. The 10K started on the south side, still on West Street.
There were no superstars here today so the crowd moved slowly up to the lead ChronoTrack mat, perhaps not wanting to assume a lead position. At the start runners were treated to a hundred meters of pure downhill before circling back around and up to Main Street. The little uphill separated the wheat from the chaff even before runners enjoyed the long downhill in the opening mile.
There were hundreds of cones and scores of marshals keeping everyone on course. One runner noted after the race that with so many turns the course may have run a little long. Certified courses are measured on the tangent and the cones were placed in the middle of the roads on the turns causing racers to make a 90 degree turn each time. There were no killer hills and quite a few medium long down hills but lots of turning and up hills can take a bite out of a runner’s pace.
Ryan Deak, 25, of Burke, VA quietly powered away from the field. It was all over long before the first of dozens of little hills and turns broke up the pace from the runners. He was one of seven runners with a Ranked Runner time in the 10K. Even though his bib number was 911, he did not need any help to cruise to an almost three minute victory in 34:07. Ramsey Wilson had a solid 36:57 for second overall, followed by Blake Sims with 37:55.
Before the race it was not just the volunteers who thought the breeze was making it cold. Elite athelete Anita Freres, 46, of Reston, VA was hugging herself to stay warm and claimed she was going to take it easy. Kayley Byrne, 23, of Oak Hill, VA (photo) blew away from the field to win soundly in 40:56, fifth overall. Freres started back further but powered her way forward in the first half of the race to put herself in position to take second from Cathy Ross, 39, of Burke, VA 43:45 to 43:19.
Midway through the course as runners started down a long hill, they were greeted by a massive display of gorgeous, multi-colored azaleas that took up most of a corner lot front yard.
The marshals were very good at warning runners of impending turns and hills. It was great to hear at 5.5 miles that the last hill was done. The course had finished its circumnavigation and the final quarter mile was even downhill. The sun was a lot brighter and most of the runners were no longer complaining that it was cold.
For nearly all the racers the final stretch was accompanied by returning 3K runners.
Crossing the finish line past the Capital Running Company RV, runners needed only to make a quick U-turn and soon there were enjoying hot chili with cheese (vegetarian or Cincinnati). There were bagels and cream cheese as well as fresh fruit and plenty of bottled water and Gatorade.
The awards ceremony went smoothly with top three overall getting very nice prizes such as $150 dinner certificates. The age groups went two deep with restaurants, grocery stores, Pacers Running, and movie coupons.
Fairfax CASA is a public charity that recruits and trains citizen volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the court’s protection in Fairfax County. Nicknamed “the eyes and ears of the judge,” CASA volunteers help ensure that these vulnerable children are placed in safe, permanent, and loving homes as quickly as possible.
The first year event really knows how to run a race. There were nearly five hundred finishers in the 10K and nearly 300 finishers in the 3K run/walk.
10K Awards
MALE OVERALL
1 911 Ryan Deak 25 Burke VA 34:07
2 796 Ramsey Wilson 39 Falls Church VA 36:57
3 564 Blake Simms 32 Fort Belvoir VA 37:55
FEMALE OVERALL
1 419 Kayley Byrne 23 Oak Hill VA 40:56
2 919 Anita Freres 46 Reston VA 43:15
3 550 Cathy Ross 39 Burke VA 43:19
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 1 - 12
1 666 Sarah Proctor 12 Chantilly VA 1:06:18 1:06:18
MALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 13 - 17
1 132 Cameron Rhodes 16 Fairfax VA 47:23 47:23
2 823 Conner Pleasants 15 Fairfax VA 49:03 49:03
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 13 - 17
1 801 Bridget Snydstrup 14 Fairfax Station VA 59:37 59:37
MALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 18 - 24
1 173 Brian Skram 24 Arlington VA 45:34 45:34
2 646 Andrew Borden 24 Alexandria VA 48:40 48:40
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 18 - 24
1 458 Elizabeth Thrall 24 Annandale VA 50:08 50:08
2 782 Jennifer Purdum 24 Vienna VA 50:37 50:37
MALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 25 - 34
1 587 Leyi Lin 31 Chevy Chase MD 40:22 40:22
2 252 Kristopher MacK 34 Fairfax VA 41:12 41:12
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 25 - 34
1 388 Jennifer Procopio 29 Alexandria VA 46:14 46:14
2 149 Mamie Kingsley 25 Arlington VA 46:36 46:36
MALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 35 - 44
1 909 Erik Heyer 39 Washington DC 43:07 43:07
2 345 Jonathan Parks 38 Manassas VA 43:24 43:24
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 35 - 44
1 189 Judy Doldorf 38 Manassas VA 46:16 46:16
2 547 Brooke Alsamman 44 Fairfax VA 46:59 46:59
MALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 45 - 54
1 620 Rhys Williams 49 Reston VA 44:07 44:07
2 912 Bill Stahr 50 The Plains VA 45:57 45:57
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 45 - 54
1 328 Lorraine Breedon 49 Washington DC 51:10 51:10
2 487 Bonnie Berkowitz 45 Vienna VA 55:48 55:48
MALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 55 - 64
1 691 Steve Sakry 58 Stafford VA 43:41 43:41
2 429 Michael Wesbecher 63 Oakton VA 44:43 44:43
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 55 - 64
1 88 Robin Kirby 56 Arlington VA 1:02:36 1:02:36
2 16 Meredith Dumm 59 Fairfax VA 1:02:50 1:02:50
MALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 65 - 99
1 455 Jack Tozier 68 Oakton VA 53:09 53:09
FEMALE AGE GROUP: NET TIME 65 - 99
1 802 Maryellen Burke 73 Fairfax Station VA 1:01:35 1:01:35
MALE FIRST TIME RACER: NET TIME - NET PACE 1 - 99
1 51:42 47 Robert Dolecki 39 M Sterling VA 52:12 22:12
FEMALE FIRST TIME RACER: NET TIME - NET PACE 1 - 99
1 50:37 782 Jennifer Purdum 24 F Vienna VA 50:55 20:55
