Spring Headline Race Registration - ACT SOON

Though Spring seems like an eternity away, it will be here before you know it.  There are two big races that require action very soon if you want to run them:

1.) Sunday, March 16, 2013 - Shamrock 5k - Baltimore

This is simply the fastest 5k (other than on a track) you will find in this area.  The first mile is 90% downhill then it's flat the rest of the way.  An added bonus is the race starts at 1:15pm meaning you don't have to set an alarm if you so choose and there's BEER at the finish line.  Registration is currently open and the price is $35 but goes up to $40 after Saturday.  This is a must-run, I don't care how fast or slow you are...

Registration Link

2.) Sunday, April 6, 2013 - Cherry Blossom 10 Miler - DC

This one's another must-do.  It's highly competitive, a flat course, and you can enjoy our Nation's Capital after the race as the race starts and finishes at the Washington Monument.  Due to its popularity, registration is completed via an open lottery.  The lottery opens Monday, December 2nd and close on Friday, December 13th at 11:59pm.  However, many of you can gain a guaranteed entry as a Seeded Runner if you can provide the coordinator a race result meeting the standard.  This means you do not have to sign-up for the lottery.  Carlos and I will be putting together teams again so let us know if you want in!

Entry info: http://www.cherryblossom.org/generalinfo/entryinfo.php

Seeded runner info: http://www.cherryblossom.org/theraces/elite.php#seeded

What's that you say?...Luck? Nah, we don't need it

Well, the spring racing season has officially arrived!  The past couple of weekends featured some of the best organized and most competition local races of the year.

Getting right to it, last Sunday kicked things off with two fast races.  In DC, Mick and Tiffany took to the roads in the St. Patrick's Day 8k.  Tiffany cruised along to finish at 32:00, just outside the top 20.  Mick was right behind, clocking a 32:10 for 2nd in his AG.

Meanwhile, in Charm City, a large group participated in the Kelly's Shamrock 5k, which coincides with the St. Patty's Day parade.  As some of us did our warmup run around the bay, we noticed that the wind was blowing into our faces heading towards Key Highway.  This is a good thing, we thought.  Headwind at the beginning and tailwind on the back half.  Well, we were...WRONG!  Mother Nature decided she wanted us to earn all 3.1 miles and provided us with a headwind the entire race.  There were several PRs, including myself, Seth, Kelly, and Caroline.  Seth started his 2013 campaign the same way he did in 2012 with a PR in 16:16.  Jason, on pace for around 17:00, pulled a hamstring at 2.5 miles and had to limp to the finish.  Hoping this doesn't mess up his Boston plans!  Kelly crushed 6:00 pace, running 18:24 and winning some $ for first Master while Caroline continued her assault en route to Boston, running a 40+ second PR of 19:06.  Chris Chattin is healthy again and ran an impressive 16:57.  His son, Anders, ran 20:31, representing the Junior Striders in style.  Vicki beat her pre-race goal as she continues to get back into shape, running 20:41.  Complete team results as follows:

Mark Buschman    15:26    2nd
Seth Geoghegan    16:16    9th    2nd (M30-39)
Steve Olenick    16:46    14th    3rd (M30-39)

Chris Chattin    15th    1st (M45-49)
Craig Lebro    17:23    24th   
Jason Tripp    17:44    29th    2nd (M40-44)
Tunde Morakinyo    18:28    41st    3rd (M45-49)
John Chall    19:25    58th    1st (M55-59)
           
Kelly Westlake    18:24    7th    1st Master

Caroline Bauer    19:04    10th
Vicki Lang    20:41    17th    2nd (F40-44)

Here's some action shots, courtesy of Carlos:

Pre-race (left to right): Madison, Carlos, Jason, Steve, Seth,  and Mark

Mark rolling down Pratt Street en route to a 2nd place finish

Seth's final steps to another 5k PR!

Steve kicking it in

Chris rounding the final turn

Kelly running sub 18:30!

Nice running form, Caroline!

Vicki cruising down Charles Street in the fast first mile

 Yesterday, Kevin and Kelly rolled at the Rock 'N Roll USA Half Marathon in DC.  Some of the Falls Road guys informed me the course was quite hilly, making it tough for a PR.  I'm not sure if Kevin ran a PR, but if not he was close, clocking a 1:16:16 for 31st.  Kelly was just outside of a PR, running 1:25:23 for 22nd and 2nd Master.  In Reston, VA, Tiffany hit the roads in the Lucky Leprechaun 5k where she broke 20 again, 19:51 for 11th.  I'm still awaiting B&A Trail Half Marathon results but I know Caroline toed the line and Tacy made her return to the racing scene, running 1:35:45 for 2nd in her AG.  Welcome back Tacy!

The big races (Cherry Blossom, Clyde's, Boston) are only a few weeks away, let's keep getting at it!!!

Shamrock 5k Registration NOW OPEN

Probably the best local race of the Spring:


http://charmcityrun.com/page.cfm?pageid=33&eid=1150

Striders represent at Shamrock 5k

On a spring-like afternoon in Charm City, several members of the Striders Racing Team came out with hopes of a PR. As I stood with Issel just around the final turn near the finish line, I wondered who would shoot around the corner first. It was none other than the team captain, Carlos Renjifo, as he powered past a solid Falls Road pack in the last mile to win the race with a new PR in 15:04. Soon after, it was nonstop cheer time as several Striders came cruising in. Most notably, Seth Geoghegan kept his amazing 2012 campaign going with a 15 second PR of 16:20. Pat Wilkerson crushed her goal of sub 20 minutes with an incredible time of 19:38 and took home the women's masters title. She is getting faster with age! This race indicates that many are going to run very well at Cherry Blossom in a few weeks. A summary of the results are as follows:

Place Div/Tot Name S Ag Hometown Gun T Net T Pace
===== ======== ======================= = == ================ =====
1 1/317 Carlos Renjifo (PR) M 29 Columbia MD 15:05 15:04 4:51
13 7/530 Seth Geoghegan (PR) M 32 Columbia MD 16:22 16:21 5:16
14 6/317 Andrew Madison M 23 Baltimore MD 16:30 16:28 5:18
21 9/317 Craig Lebro M 26 Columbia MD 17:02 16:59 5:28
22 11/530 Keith Levasseur M 33 Columbia MD 17:10 17:08 5:31
25 14/530 Jason Tripp M 39 Ellicott City MD 17:14 17:12 5:32
31 3/253 Phil Lang M 44 Columbia MD 17:32 17:29 5:38
60 2/129 John Chall M 54 Crownsville MD 18:39 18:36 5:59
69 2/69 Bobby Gessler M 55 Ellicott City MD 19:02 19:00 6:07


79 1/146 Pat Wilkerson F 53 Columbia MD 19:40 19:38 6:19
111 1/321 Vicki Lang F 43 Columbia MD 20:26 20:21 6:33
175 8/968 Grace Tran F 34 Columbia MD 21:35 21:31 6:56

Great job everyone!!!

Full Results can be viewed here: http://charmcityrun.com/content/results/shamrock12.htm
Pictures from the race, courtesy of: Charm City, HCS
Videos of the race, courtesy of : Falls Rd, HCS

Post Race: All Smiles!

Shamrock 5k Registration OPEN - Price increases later today!

If you want to run this race, I strongly recommend signing up very soon as it is guaranteed to sell out...

CLICK HERE