The Parkway Is Getting Hot

THE PARKWAY IS GETTING HOT

By George Banker

Alexandria, Va., April 13, 2001 - It happens once a year, the closing of the southern portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The pounding of 3,000 feet will cause ripples in the water of the Potomac River and the trees to shake. It’s time for the 17th George Washington Parkway Classic 15K and the 3rd 5K (Sunday, April 22, 2001). The 15K runners will square off at 8:05 a.m., in Alexandria (near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge). The 5K runners will be at the Fort Hunt Park exit along the Parkway at 8:00 a.m.

The challenge for the runners on the course will be the once down hill start to an up hill finish, about a half mile. The top runners in the two events will be running after $3,600 in prize money. The age group winners will receive noncash awards. Some of the registered athletes are:

Sarah McCarney, 26, Reston, Va., 6th place (4:41.75) in the 1500 meters at the Maryland Elite Grand Prix Invitational (2/01), 2nd 25-29 (1:09:17) Footsteps of Reston 10 Miler (3/01). 1st (3:33:22) - 40th Washington’s Birthday Marathon (2/01).

Alice Muriithi, 26, Kenya (West Chest, Pa.). 8th (55:22) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 1st (1:14:30) Outback Classic Half Marathon (12/00). 1st (1:17:26) Mt. Washington Road Race (6/00).

Rosalie Parker, 26, Washington, DC. An amateur boxer ranked number #1 in the 112 pound weight division. 8th (39:21) St. Patrick’s Day 10K (3/01). 1st (19:56) Rachel Women’s Center Valentine 5K (2/01). 1st (19:31) Wednesday Child 5K (9/00).

Major Kimberly Robinson (USAF) 36, Arlington, Va. (1:04:01) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 9th (38:58) Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K (11/00). 1st 1998 U.S. Marine Corps Marathon (10/98). Qualifier for the 2000 Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials.

Sharon Servidio, 27, Arlington, Va., (Team Pacers). 6th 25-29 (1:02:07) Nortel Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 3rd (37:06) St. Patrick’s Day 10K (3/01). 3rd (38:47) Jingle Bell Run For Arthritis 10K (12/00). 1st (55:22) George Washington Parkway Classic 15K (4/99).

Kimberly Worly, 22, Washington, DC. 1st (3:22:25) DCRRC Last Plain To Boston Marathon (1/01). New course record.

Betty Blank, 48, Falls Church, Va. 1st 45-49 (1:08:16) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 2nd Master and 3rd (20:28) DC Rape Crisis Center Challenge 5K (4/01).

1st Master and 2nd (1:55:59) DCRRC Belle Haven 25K (3/01). 1st (50:11) DCRRC Custis 12K (1/01). 1st 45-49 (20:16) MADD Red Ribbon Run 5K (12/00). 1st Master and 6th (41:36) Jingle Bell Run For Arthritis 10K (12/00). 2nd Master and 17th Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K (11/00). 1st Master and 4th George Washington Parkway 5K (4/00).

Jill Hargis, 41, Annapolis, Md. 1st (1:03:03) Cherry Pit 10 Miler (4/01). 2nd (29:46) Shamrock Sportfest Masters 8K (3/01). 1st Master and 2nd (18:40) MADD Red Ribbon Run 5K (12/00). Female winner (38:58) Rudolph’s Red Nose 10K (12/00). 1st Master and 7th (37:22) Avon Running Baltimore 10K (9/00). 1st (1:01:30) Annapolis 10 Miler (8/00). 1st (37:56) Lawyers Have Heart 10K (6/00). 1st (37:16) Governor’s Bay Bridge 10K (5/00). Qualified for 2000 Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials - Houston Marathon (2:47:50-1/98). Qualified for 1996 Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials - Cleveland Revco Marathon (2:49:58-1995).

Hedy Marque, 83, Alexandria, Va. 1st 80-84 (1:55:20) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 1998 and 1999 Masters Long Distance Runner of the Year for age group 80-84 by USATF-LDR Committee. Holds single age record for 10 miles for ages 71 through 81. Age 83 is pending verification.

Kay Morrison, 75, Rockville, Md. 1st 70-74 (59:54) Country Road 8K (2/01). 1st (32:42) 70-74, George Washington Parkway Classic 5K (4/00). Will be running the 15K this year.

Gabriel Muchiri, 22, Kenya (West Chester, Pa.). 8th (47:01) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 1st (29:14) Brian’s Run 10K (12/00). 1st (13:50) Syracuse Festival of Races (10/00).

John Mwai, 30, Kenya (West Chester, Pa). 1st (2:17:00) Greater Hartford Marathon (10/00).

Julius Nderitu, 25, Kenya (East Brunswick, NJ). 13:30 - South Africa 5000 Meters (3/01).

Ted Poulos, 39, McLean, Va. 49th (55:27) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. 1st (28:01) Springburst 8K (3/01). 1st 35-39 (57:16) Footsteps of Reston 10 Miler (3/01).

2nd (43:58) MCRRC Carderock 12K (3/01). 1st (44:43) DCRRC Custis 12K (1/01).

1st (29:00) MCRRC Jingle Bell Jog 8K (12/00). 4th (34:34) Rudolph’s Red Nose 10K (12/00). 1st (15:50) Wednesday’s Child 5K (9/00). World record for most races in a year 215 (1995) broke record in 1997 with 222. Profiled in Runner’s World magazine September 1997.

Dave Berardi, 40, Baltimore, Md. 1st Master (15:39) O’Doul’s 5K (3/01). 6th Master (26:03) Shamrock Sportsfest Masters 8K (3/01). 1st Master and 6th (57:27) RRCA Club Challenge 10 Miler (2/01).

Ray Blue, 76, Oxon Hill, Md. 1st 75-79 (27:07) DC Rape Crisis Center Challenge 5K (4/01).

2nd 75-79 (27:25) MADD Red Ribbon Run 5K (12/00).

Dennis Coleman, 43, Gaithersburg, Md. 6th 40-44 (1:19:50) 25th overall Cesar Rodney Half-Marathon (3/01). 33rd (55:46) Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K (2/01). 3rd 40-44 (1:18:41) Naples Daily News Half-Marathon (1/01).

Jim Hage, 43, Lanham, Md. 1st Master (32:19 New Record) St. Patrick’s Day 10K (3/01).

1st Master and 3rd (15:52) DC Rape Crisis Center Challenge 5K (4/01). 2nd Master and 14th (1:09:48) Las Vagas Half-Marathon. The only two-time consecutive winner of the U.S. Marine Corps Marathon (1988, 1989). Three-time participant in the Olympic Marathon Trials, 8th place in 1992.

Dan Lawson, 45, Gaithersburg, Md., (Team PowerBar) 2nd 45-49 (55:16) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 7th Master (26:35) Shamrock Sportsfest Masters 8K (3/01). 2nd Master and 4th (33:36) Jingle Bell Run For Arthritis 10K (12/00). 1st Master (52:46) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/98). Two-time masters winner at the Quad City Bix 7 (‘96-36:11, ‘97-39:42). Master’s best 10 mile time 52:20.

Bill Morrison, 74, Rockville, Md. 2nd (1:22:24) George Washington Parkway Classic 15K (4/00).

John Tuttle, 42, Douglasville, Ga. (Team Nike South). 1st Master ( 50:18) Nortel Networks Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/01). 3rd Master (23:58) Shamrock Sportsfest 8K (3/01). 1st Overall (30:50) Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K (11/00). 2nd Master (30:12) Peachtree (7/00). 2nd Master (14:19) American Record Run By The Sea (9/99). 1st (29:26) Master and American Record Crescent City 10K (4/99). 1st Master (23:25) American Record Shamrock 8K in Chicago (3/99). 1st Master (36:12) World and American Record - Outback Classic 12K (2/99). 1999 Master Runner of the Year by USATF. 1984 Olympic Team Member.

The 15K records: Open - Leonid Shvetsov - 44:31(1996) and Jane Welzel - 52:01 (1989).

Master: Mark Donahue - 46:24 (2000) and Rose Malloy - 55:55 (1992).

The 5K records: Open - Philippe Rolly - 14:48 (2000) and Nancy Watkins - 17:56 (1999)

Master: John Tuttle - 14:49 (2000) and Christine Newsham - 20:19 (1999).

In person registration and packet pick up is being held through April 20th at Pacers, 1301 King Street, Alexandria, Va., 703-836-1463.

On-line registration through the websie http://www.BESTrace.com/gwparkwayclassic. . To volunteer call 703-549-4447.

The George Washington Parkway Classic is presented by Verizon. The race benefits the community through the Alexandria United Way James P. Moran Grants and the Alexandria Olympic Boys and Girls Club. The additional sponsors include Advanced Power Technologies, Inc., Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, New Balance and Pacers of Old Town Alexandria.

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