Like Diamonds in the Sky

It wasn't quite the race recap I was expecting to write this morning, but for those who toed the line this weekend, we saw some really great results, including 3 wins, and a handful of PRs.

Conrad Laskowski led the charge at the Downs Park 5 Miler. This has become one of the fall faves, a low-key race put on by Annapolis Striders that offers a honey-baked ham to the winner. Conrad is in the zone right now, and rolled to a decisive victory (25:30). Dustin Meeker is the impetus for this race, having won previously, and finished 2nd before. This year he couldn't take down Conrad, but his 26:04 wasn't far off his best time there. The only blip was the non-one-of-us who finished 3rd, but Steve Febish ran a great race for 4th, crossing the line in 26:28. Andy Sovonick ran a distance PR, running 27:10, and Tim Burns ran 27:43, which is faster than he ran at Rockville and on the 0.03mi longer course!

Then there was the Run Through the Grapevine 8k in Mt. Airy. Held at Linganore Vineyard and put on by Howard County Striders, this is one of the most difficult cross country races I've ever run. But it's a great event, a lot of awesome prizes (mostly wine) and everyone has a blast. Tom Stott this year knocked out 50 seconds from his best time there, running 32:15 for 8th place. Jon Miller was 20th in 34:08, and PJ Anderer ran 36:59 the day after a 20 miler. I missed her in the email, but Stacie Wentz ran, finishing in 48:29.

A really unique event is the Anything is Possible 5k put on by Montgomery County Road Runners. It starts just before Daylight Saving Time ends, offering runners the chance to run a massive (negative time) PR. Ryan Stasiowski took the win in 16:45, and his adjusted time was -43:16.

Another event I missed in the email was the St. John's Run in the Valley 5k. Lillian Pinault (although her name was butchered in the results) was the women's winner in 20:27, while race director Kelly Ort was 2nd in 24:01. And yet another missed result was Jim Adams' 21st place (53:01) BRRC McDonogh 5 mile XC race (race director Dan Miranda).

Our Purple Drink Athlete of the Week went to Tom Stott. Great job Scotty!

Special shout to the clothing donation from Falls Road Running Store. There are going to be a lot of people wearing Celtic Solstice gear in New Jersey now, but they went to those who were affected by the storm last week in the coastal communities in my hometown.