- Richard Montgomery alumnus Rohann Asfaw is once again the USATFCCCA Division I National Athlete of the Week, following his win at the Wolfpack Invitational, where he led the University of Virginia to victory.
- Annie Lutz, =PR=’s footwear buyer, and Joe Rolen, a show collector, will be the guests on this week’s Potomac River Running Instagram Live, Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 8-9 p.m.
- Volunteers with the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail scrubbed the mold and mildew off of the Trollheim Bridge (south of Roosevelt Island), making it less slippery when wet.
Name: Exavier Watson
Self-described age group: 41
Residence: Montgomery County
Occupation: Government Contracting
Volunteer roles in the running world: Was the track meet director for four Tommie Smith Youth Track Meets in Washington, D.C., which brought over 25 youth track teams to D.C.; hosted by former U.S. Olympic track athletes in a full day of track competition and health awareness.
How has your running changed in the last six months: I have transitioned from running to stay in race shape, to running for the enjoyment of it. Before the pandemic I was racing regularly and my runs and workouts were more intense; whereas now I actually enjoy the scenery and stop regularly to take pictures of things I see.
McLean resident Kelly Calway talks about her recovery from a broken neck this summer and her return to a running career that had already included three Olympic Marathon Trials.
It had been a while since I had added a new loop, so to celebrate the return of reasonable hours for the National Arboretum, there is now a 10k segment in there, mostly free of car traffic.
The loop follows the outer loop, going clockwise, with a trip up to Mount Hamilton (counterclockwise around the top loop), and then a smaller interior loop. You can follow the path of the loop, which is a few steps over 10k, here. The start is the R Street exit sign and the finish the cross street on the road leading to the out-of-use gate. It’s really easier to follow the map, but it makes sense when you’re in there. If people are interested, I will add chalk markings.
View overall results for the first five months of the DMV Distance Derby here
I didn’t get all the September marks, so I just have the overall results, though I may have missed one or two.
The segment results are generally organized to fit compactly.
- Chantilly alumnus Sean McGorty will be the guest on this week’s Potomac River Running Instagram Live, Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Georgetown alunmna Emily Infeld was a guest on The Hurdle.
- The Dojo of Pain is holding a limited capacity marathon in East Potomac Park Dec. 5 at 6:30 a.m. Due to permit resrictions, the field is limited to 100 runners, who must finish within three hours. Email [email protected] for more info, and please include a brief running bio.
- Following a vote of no confidence by the faculty, Samantha Huge resigned as athletic director at the College of William and Mary. It remains to be seen what this will hold for the college’s plan to cut men’s track and field and reduce roster spots for men’s cross country.
Name: Ruth Driscoll-Lovejoy
Self-described age group: 30-35 (ageless wonder according to my husband)
Residence: Alexandria
Occupation: Environmental Policy Analyst
Volunteer roles in the running world: I used to organize a volunteer team for the annual D’Feet Breast Cancer 5K Run/Walk in Galveston, Texas. In DC, I’ve donated more than a few sweatshirts to MCMers for “throw-away” attire. My understanding is that these are collected and donated to charity after the race.
How has your running changed in the last six months: It’s been a lot of feeling like I’m getting somewhere, pausing, and having to start all over! The last race I ran was a half-marathon in November before I started a PRP (that’s platelet-rich plasma) treatment series that halted running for several months. With a stuttering start, I had just been cautiously cleared to begin running and build mileage in March. Over the last six months, I’ve gone from a painfully slow rebuild to being a steady 10K runner being forced to slow down again. The past few weeks, I’ve just been enjoying four-mile runs.
Why you run: I definitely run for balance and my mental and physical well-being and because I enjoy being a part of the running community. I also like to joke that running races is the closest I can get to that feeling of earning an A+ on a test. It doesn’t really matter where I place, but if I’ve trained and I do my best, I make the grade.
- Richard Montgomery alumnus and University of Virginia junior Rohann Asfaw was the USA Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division I National Athlete of the Week following his win at the Virginia Invitational last week. He won the 2014 DCXC Invitational sophomore race six years prior.
- Throughout October, the National Park Service is improving roads and trails at Memorial Circle, improving crosswalks for visibility.
- The George Washington University Cross Country and Track teams are presenting a state of the program presentation Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. Contact Sagmi Park at [email protected] or 202-994-8412 for more information.
- The University of Virginia cross country teams, which include 17 local runners, are having a virtual meet the teams event at 6 p.m. Sept. 30.
- The top three women with local connection at the Olympic Marathon Trials – Georgetown alumna Kate Landau, Oakton and American alumna Keira D’Amato and George Mason alumna and Fairfax resident Bethany Satchleben – will be racing the Marathon Project, a professional-only marathon in Arizona Dec. 20, as reported by Fast Women.
- Georgetown alumnus Spencer Brown was a guest on the Citius podcast, talking about his YouTube channel The Athlete Special and his move to Seattle to run for the Brooks Beasts.
- I will make my exception to sticking to local subjects because the Run Farther and Faster podcast featured Mark Courtney, whose timing system and legend as a runner has been a great influence on me for 24 years.
Name: Justin Knoernschild
Self-described age group: 30-35
Residence: Alexandria
Occupation: Voter registration & elections. Have you moved since you last voted? Check on your registration status and vote early to avoid any last minute problems in November
Volunteer roles in the running world: I help time races for Pacers Events, but I really just drive trucks around and setup equipment in the early morning
How has your running changed in the last six months: I put in more miles than normal in the spring to have some sense of normalcy and routine, but the past few months have just been getting out when I have time to relax and recover mentally
Why you run: I love to race and push myself, but it has helped me so much with focus, work ethic and stress relief
Area man goes running.
Name: Katelyn Engen
Self-described age group: 24-29
Residence: Kensington, Md.
Occupation: Collegiate athletic trainer
Volunteer roles in the running world: I ran my first race with Ainsleys Angels at the end of 2019, with hopes to do it more in 2020. Now my goal is to run more with them in 2021! They’re a group that organizes runners & chairs so everyone access to road racing. The National Capital Region group is fantastic.
How has your running changed in the last six months: I ran a ton the first few months, recently, since going back to work, I’m running a much more reasonable amount. I’ve found that more than ever, I run for my own well being & mental health, not just because I have a race to train for.
Why you run: Because I am way nicer & more patient on days I run!
