Name: Taylor Williamson
Self-described age group: 35-39
Residence: Silver Spring
Occupation: Global Health Systems Manager at RTI International
Volunteer roles in the running world: I have been a pacer for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile for years, and I volunteer for MCRRC races as I am able. Pikes Peek is one of my favorites!
Why you run: I‘ve run for so long that my motivations change about every couple of years. I run now because it keeps me sane by burning off excess energy and letting my mind shut down. I also really appreciate the running community in Montgomery County. It’s a dedicated and engaged group of people.
How has your running changed in the last four weeks: I was training for Pikes Peek in April; aiming to better a very slow 10K PR. Since that race and all the others have been shut down, I’m taking time off to heal from a bad hamstring strain.
Dani Micsan’s name may sound familiar to local runners in the female 60-64 age group.
Micsan, who lives in Reston, turned 60 in early 2019 and won her age group at the Reston 10 Miler on March 3 that year. The next Sunday, she won her age group again at the Pot O’Gold 10K. One week later, she placed second in her age group at the Lucky Leprechaun 5K.
And plenty more age group honors followed.
“Last year, all I did was train for different races,” said Micsan, who is now 61.
And, she got faster, too.
Alexandria Turkey Trot Race Director Brian Danza talks about his weeks-long effort to find 1.5 million masks in China.
- The National Park Service has extended the usual weekend closure of most of Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park to traffic throughout the rest of April. Roads in Anacostia Park and Fort Dupont Park will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. every day until April 30.
- Montgomery Parks is closing Little Falls Parkway between, Massachusetts Avenue and Arlington Road (River Road will be open midway), and Beach Drive, between Knowles Avenue and Connecticut Avenue (Cedar Lane is open midway) to traffic between Fridays at 9 am to Sundays at 6 p.m. Sligo Creek Parkway is closed on the same schedule between University Boulevard and Fores Glen Road (with Dennis Avenue open midway) and Piney Branch Road to Old Carroll Avenue (with Maple Avenue open midway).
- A variety of local runners were guests on podcasts recently:
- Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Caitlyn Tateishi was on Ali on the Run
- Mike Wardian was on Citius and Run Farther and Faster
- Tom Brumlik was on Running Through It
- T.S. Wootton Coach Kellie Redmond was on Run Farther and Faster
- Loudon Valley alumnus Drew Hunter was on Final Surge
Name: Molly Ritter
Self-described age group: 33
Residence: Arlington
Occupation: ICU Nurse
Volunteer roles in the running world: Volunteer Cross Country Coach at Yorktown High School
Why you run: With all of the races being cancelled this spring this is a question I have had to frequently ask myself. I run for the way it makes me feel on the good days and the bad. Running has always helped my mind find clarity. The other reason I have stuck with running for over 10 years is because of the wonderful people it has introduced me to along the way.
How has your running changed in the last four weeks: Besides not being able to run with friends/teammates I would say I’ve found new inspiration to run during this very strange and difficult time in our country. Running has allowed me a place to release physical and emotional stress after the long hours at the hospital during the pandemic.
New Marine Corps Marathon PR Coordinator Jheanel Walters talks about her adjustment to the job and how the MCM race series is adjusting to COVID-19.
With the Virginia outdoor track season canceled, the District Track Club is sponsoring a competition for high school teams to compile their training and performances, and will hold three competitions where time trials will be scored against each other at the end of the month. Learn more here. More detailed instructions are available here.
Arlington’s Mike Wardian ran 262.53 miles to win the Quarantine Backyard Ultra, a competition among runners completing 4.1667-mile loops every hour. He ran for 63 hours. More from Outside.
RunWashington contributor Kelyn Soong wrote in the Washington City Paper, where he is the sports editor, about people turning to running during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dan Frank hadn’t done the training he normally would have for an ultramarathon, and he didn’t have a route planned. There were some tough points during his run, which lasted nearly a day.
But the Columbia resident and Paint Branch High School math teacher had plenty to keep him going as he ran about 102 miles in a fundraiser for the Community Action Council of Howard County, which includes the Howard County Food Bank.
The idea came about when Frank and his wife were on a walk. Their daughters’ school, Phelps Luck Elementary, usually has a mobile food pantry available one day per month, he said. But now, schools are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In good times, about 40 families show up every time we have that mobile food pantry, and I can’t imagine what it would be like now, with how many people have lost their jobs and everything,” Frank said.
Name: Brian Kapur
Self-described age group: 31
Residence: Arlington
Occupation: Operations manager at a dental office and freelance journalist
Why you run: I run for the physical and mental health benefits. It helped me reverse several health problems and lose 65 pounds. In addition, the thrill of pushing myself beyond what I thought was possible.
Georgetown alumnus Jon Green, who coaches Olympic Marathon Trials runner-up Molly Seidel, tells the story of how he got into this situation.
