The Twilight Zone

This past weekend featured the premier local race of the summer...ROCKVILLE TWILIGHTER 8k

This is easily one of the most competitive local races which includes many local elites, college runners, and several African-born speedsters.  The pre-race warmup revealed cooler temperatures then normal due to a light drizzle and overcast but after we completed two miles on the course, it was apparent that the humidity was going to be a factor.

The race start got delayed about 10 minutes due to the police having trouble clearing the roads of traffic.  In the men's race, team captain, Carlos Renjifo, led the way per the usual crossing the line in 19th place in 25:57.  Mark Buschman and Andrew Madison followed in 26:40 and 27:00, respectively.  Jason Tripp kept his age group winning streak alive barely losing to the first Master, but winning the 40-44 age group with a time of 28:20.  He also earned a spot on the elite squad with this awesome performance!

Samantha Matthews led the way for the ladies, finishing in 22nd in 31:57.  Vicki Lang continued her comeback coming in 3rd in the Master's division, running 34:31.

A summary of the results:

Carlos Renjifo 25:57 19th
Mark Buschman 26:40 29th PR
Andrew Madison 27:00 42nd
Kevin Ford 28:00 56th PR
Craig Lebro 28:14 59th
Jason Tripp 28:20 62nd (1st, M40-44)
Dave Berardi 29:13 80th (3rd, M50-54)
Phil Lang 30:11 104th
Tunde Morakinyo 31:01 127th 
Chris Chattin 31:24 136th
John Chall 31:56 145th (2nd, M55-59)

Samantha Matthews 31:57 22nd 
Vicki Lang 34:31 34th (3rd Master)
Janeth Scott 35:55 43rd (2nd, F50-54)

Nice hair Craig!

Dave running with the young guns as always.  I used to be that guy
who would have to outrun him at the end of the race.

Vicki battling the humidity...

Meanwhile, out west in Garrett County, Bobby Gessler took part in the Salem Challenge 5k.  He indicated that the course was long (3.4 miles) and quite hilly.  However, he ran 22:04, good for 10th overall and first Master.

Sunday morning included the Rosaryville Trail Runs in Upper Marlboro.  Keith Levasseur, training for the Leadville 100 in a few weeks, placed 2nd in the 50k, crossing the line in 3:56:27, winning the 30-39 age group.

With her fantastic performance, Vicki Lang joined the team!  WAY TO GO VICKI!!!

Columbia Women's Distance Festival (WDF)

The conditions this morning were hot and humid, but that didn't deter some 400 women from taking on this year's edition of the Columbia Women's Distance Festival (WDF).  What makes this number particularly impressive in my mind is that the no-show rate was less than 10% -- an impressive number when conditions are perfect for running.  You ladies are tough!  Hats off to all of you.

Times didn't seem to be affected too much by the heat, with the eventual winner, Anna Holt-Gosslin, taking a commanding  victory in 17:45. Behind her was UnSong Ostrowski, who continues to run PRs, this time shaving an insane 20 seconds from her previous best and finishing in 18:26.  Kelly Westlake also had an excellent race, finishing 4th overall (1st in the master's category) with a time 18:51 -- her fastest 5k this year.  Samantha Matthews was next in 5th, equaling her time from the Baltimore Women's Classic (19:37) in tougher conditions.  Samantha was followed closely by Robyn Humphrey (19:48, 6th, 2nd master).  Closing out the list of performances was the dynamic trio of grand masters, who yet again achieved a 1-2-3 sweep for the 50+ age category: Pat Wilkerson (8th, 20:17), Janeth Scott (14th, 21:14), and Dorothy Beckett (17th, 21:22).


Full results are available here: http://striders.net/events/wdf/2012. Pictures will hopefully be posted soon.