No More Cloudy Days

SWEEP was the name of the game this weekend as we saw 7 team members cross the line first, with a slew of their compatriots filing in behind them.

First on Saturday, Kris Simms ran the Marian House 5k. You remember this one - it's the race where Arjun contested an all-out, balls-out sprint with a competitor that time. Kris finished 2nd and ran 19:27. He was hoping I didn't see the result, but as I figured the race had to be long, he suggested that it was in fact quite more than 5k. Down in Glen Burnie, Terry Decker finished 2nd in the GBIA 5k, winning some cool prizes.

Terence Baptiste ran the Akron Half Marathon, finishing 25th in 1:19:31. I asked him where that speed came from and he said it was from our run at Patapsco from back during the summer.

Then it was onto Sunday, where TWSSers put on many free clinics. Starting on the NCR Trail with the NCR Half Marathon, where the trio of Phil Turner, Dustin Meeker and Nate Brigham ran together the entire way before Dusty and Nate left the door open for Phil to take the win (to complement his 2+ minute PR) in 1:13:27. Dusty was 2nd in 1:13:28 and Nate took the 3rd spot in 1:13:29. Steve Febish was using the race as a wave run, so while he surely had to be running by himself most of the way, he nailed the workout and finished 4th in 1:17:37. Melissa Tanner took the top spot for the women in 1:25:47. Bob Villanueva, just a week removed from his great Chesapeakeman Aquabike, finished in 1:33:11.

Heading down to Mt. Washington, it was time for the Race for Our Kids 10k. It's one of the more challenging races out there, with a serious uphill last mile +, but the weather could not have been better. Just a few years ago this race was at the end of June, and I literally saw someone wilt (Kris and I had to catch her before she fell. That girl went onto compete at the 2012 US Olympic Marathon Trials). Dave Berdan made a return to racing with a 32:10 4th place effort. About 3/4 of a mile back, but in 5th place overall, was Chrissie Ramsey, who easily won the women's race in 36:36 - making it one of her fastest times ever. Dave Berardi came in at 37:15 for 8th, and then it was Megan DiGregorio in 2nd at 38:09, just off her personal best, and then Meg McNew in 39:25, again not far off her best time. Denise Knickman completed the ladies' sweep in 41:17.

Moving further down the road it was the Falls Road 15k, now renamed the Pacemaker Prep 15k I guess. Newcomer David Cobb, fresh off his 17:42 at the RM Classic, crossed the line first in 56:33. He said he runs that route nearly every day, albeit with a baby stroller, and hasn't felt that light in months. Great job David! PJ Anderer took 3rd in 1:01:33. The race for the women's victory was much closer, with Sara Damiano making a strong move in the back half of the race to pass Jen Sheely, taking the win in a PR of 1:09:11 to Jen's 1:09:39.

Attached to the 15k was also the Hilson Hustle 5k, named after Bob Hilson in honor of his birthday. Cory Donovan, in his final Chicago prep, took the win in 19:15, and Josey Mintel was 3rd overall and first lady in 20:13. Lillian Pinault finished 4th in 22:12.

With so many terrific performances on a weekend I forgot even had any races, it was a tough week for the Purple Drink Athlete of the Week. 7 winners, numerous PRs, but the most impressive to me this week was Sara Damiano!

Receiving the KC Masterpiece Award this week are Dustin and Nate for displaying great team/sportsmanship.