For one day, instead of putting their noses to the grindstone early, hundreds of federal employees from all branches of government showed up in Anacostia Park to run the ACLI Capital Challenge.
[button-red url=”http://www.capitalchallenge.com/2001_cabinet/history2001.html” target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red] Several members of Congress participated, and several acquitted themselves well over the three-mile course Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Kelly Ayotte (R- N.H.) finished first among U.S. Senators and Reps. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) were the first from the House to cross the line.
[button-red url=”https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.659491597411409.1073741846.189448104415763&type=1″ target=”_self” position=”left”] Photo [/button-red]Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s office was represented well up front by Paul Balmer, who began working for the Oregon democrat. Balmer finished fourth.
It was Blumenauer’s 16 time running out of the 17 years he’s been in office.
“It’s a terrific event, the whole office participates,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to focus on an event. I don’t train anymore but still run four or five times a week.”
Blumenauer tries to schedule meetings during runs or walks.
“It’s an efficient use of time, when you have endorphins kicking in, you think better,” he said. “The world would be a better place if more people ran, walked, or biked.”
The U.S. Coast Guard swept the top individual spots, with Patrick Fernandez in 14:46 and Rachel Beckmann in 17:59. Fernandez went on to win the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon five days later.
The FBI (Full Blooded Intensity) eeked out a team title over Navy, which FBI team member Jim Keesling hoped for but did not expect.
“It has been a fun and storied rivalry and a challenge trying to stay competitive with Navy,” he said. “I have really enjoyed running with them and competing in such a great event. I ran my first Capital Challenge in 1998 when we narrowly defeated Navy and saw them easily beat us the past two years so it was really fun coming up victorious this year. Their team captainSue Himes knows how to put together great teams and I wish her the beat in retirement.”
Himes has also served RunWashington and the Washington Running Report for several years as its Military Running columnist.
Matt Thomas of Alexandria was running late to join his Navy teammates. He was able to make it to the start in just in time.
“It was a rude awakening to run that hard off of no warm up,” he said. “Two and a half miles in and I was like ugh, I felt that breakfast gripping me pretty tight.”
Holley Simmons, was the most tired of her Washington Post Express teammates and put up the least fight when they dressed her like a copy of the commuter daily. She is a fashion and dining editor who is not a habitual runner.
“It got pretty hot under there,” she said.
Washington, DC
March 4, 2011
Washington Running Report, a bi-monthly publication covering running, fitness, and multi-sport was recently revamped to a glossy magazine and is distributed throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, namely Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. A new digital edition has been added as well as new columns to reflect the diverse running communities: Military Running Scene, A Woman’s Perspective, and The Senior Runner.
“The running and fitness industry is recession resistant and with more people choosing to lead healthy lifestyles and road race participation growing, we’re providing the best local resource to motivate and educate our readers,” said Kathy Freedman, Publisher and owner of Capital Running Company, a race management company. “Our contributors are local runners and experts who share a passion for their sport and our advertisers know we are the source to reach this market.”
Sue Himes, CDR, U.S. Navy, pens “Military Running Scene,” and has represented the U.S. Armed Forces team in both the marathon and cross country. Coach Kirt West has been the online coach for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and, as a senior runner in his early 60s, shares his journey to stay fit. In 2011, six women will contribute to “A Woman’s Perspective” with topics ranging from finding motivation to balancing running with motherhood.
The digital edition has been launched with the March/April 2011 issue and can be found on the Washington Running ReportWeb site: www.runwashington.com.
About Washington Running Report
Founded in 1984, Washington Running Report is published bi-monthly and provides the most comprehensive coverage of running, fitness, and multisport for Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, plus the bordering regions of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. For more information or to subscribe visit www.runwashington.com. WRR is represented nationally by the Endurance Sports Media Group.
About Capital Running Company
Capital Running Company is a professional race management and promotion company that has been producing road races in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia for more than 30 years. It specializes in first-time and large events requiring sponsor exposure; the company uses the innovative ChronoTrack timing system.
Editorial Contact:
Brenda Barrera, Managing Editor
[email protected]
Kathy Freedman, Publisher
15739 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville, MD 20855
[email protected] or 301-840-2042
www.runwashington.com
www.capitalrunning.com
