35th Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race.
Here in DC, the Cherry Blossoms are already at a delicate beauty today and tomorrow! Take a run aro
und the Tidal Basin with your new found athletic ability and view them.
On Sunday, April 1, 2007, DC hosted the internationally renowned Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race. It was exciting to see! Teyba Erkesso of Ethiopia set a world record by finishing in 51:44, more than a minute ahead of her nearest competitor. Since the elite women started 10 minutes early, her time technically came in a Women Only race and it was a world record time for that category. She won $6,000 plus $750 for finishing in under 52 minutes.
I was on the Memorial Bridge at MP 3 when I saw her go by. She was by herself and the rest of the elite women pursuing her were already 30 yards back. Over the bridge in Virginia, they ran around a traffic circle and came back to the District via the same bridge. This time time the small pack pursuing her was 50 yards back. The spectators lined up alongside the roadway were cheering her on to go! And she did, into the record books. Read all about her race, and the men's race, here.
Think racing isn't exciting? After I watched the leading elite men sprint past me on the bridge, a swift moving cluster of eight to ten whippet-thin dusky men followed by a lengthening strand of also-rans, I next set up at MP nine and a quarter. Shortly after forty minutes, four elite men came flying by, bunched together in a loose ball. I wondered who would break out and win? Would the people three minutes down the road be treated to a finish worthy of the 2005 NYCM? It was an Ethiopian sweep! Nineteen year-old Tadesse Tola of Ethiopia broke the Kenyans' recent stranglehold on this race and won by a mere three seconds in 46:01. He also won $6,000 but missed a bonus of $750 by two seconds.
(The elite men running by at shortly after MP 9 at the 2007 Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race. I believe the winner was the third fellow, slightly behind the two front-runners. In the yellow, I think, is 2d place finisher John Yuda of Tanzania. On the right is third place finisher, and three-time winner, John Korir of Kenya. The group is passing a woman elite runner who was given a 10-minute head start.)
It was exciting! Congratulations to everyone who ran in it. A week after running in the National Marathon, Mayor Fenty ran in it.
Last year's program grads Sasha and Mindi ran in it. I hope you consider running it, or volunteering at it, or spectating along its course next year. (Above: A program alumni, in red top with black tights, is all smiles as she comes off the Memorial Bridge and goes by the Lincoln Memorial in the 2007 Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race.)
Here in DC, the Cherry Blossoms are already at a delicate beauty today and tomorrow! Take a run aro
und the Tidal Basin with your new found athletic ability and view them.On Sunday, April 1, 2007, DC hosted the internationally renowned Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race. It was exciting to see! Teyba Erkesso of Ethiopia set a world record by finishing in 51:44, more than a minute ahead of her nearest competitor. Since the elite women started 10 minutes early, her time technically came in a Women Only race and it was a world record time for that category. She won $6,000 plus $750 for finishing in under 52 minutes.
I was on the Memorial Bridge at MP 3 when I saw her go by. She was by herself and the rest of the elite women pursuing her were already 30 yards back. Over the bridge in Virginia, they ran around a traffic circle and came back to the District via the same bridge. This time time the small pack pursuing her was 50 yards back. The spectators lined up alongside the roadway were cheering her on to go! And she did, into the record books. Read all about her race, and the men's race, here.
Think racing isn't exciting? After I watched the leading elite men sprint past me on the bridge, a swift moving cluster of eight to ten whippet-thin dusky men followed by a lengthening strand of also-rans, I next set up at MP nine and a quarter. Shortly after forty minutes, four elite men came flying by, bunched together in a loose ball. I wondered who would break out and win? Would the people three minutes down the road be treated to a finish worthy of the 2005 NYCM? It was an Ethiopian sweep! Nineteen year-old Tadesse Tola of Ethiopia broke the Kenyans' recent stranglehold on this race and won by a mere three seconds in 46:01. He also won $6,000 but missed a bonus of $750 by two seconds.
(The elite men running by at shortly after MP 9 at the 2007 Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race. I believe the winner was the third fellow, slightly behind the two front-runners. In the yellow, I think, is 2d place finisher John Yuda of Tanzania. On the right is third place finisher, and three-time winner, John Korir of Kenya. The group is passing a woman elite runner who was given a 10-minute head start.)
It was exciting! Congratulations to everyone who ran in it. A week after running in the National Marathon, Mayor Fenty ran in it.
Last year's program grads Sasha and Mindi ran in it. I hope you consider running it, or volunteering at it, or spectating along its course next year. (Above: A program alumni, in red top with black tights, is all smiles as she comes off the Memorial Bridge and goes by the Lincoln Memorial in the 2007 Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race.)
1 comment:
Congrats to Ashley, Mindi, Sasha, Michelle, and whoever else ran the race! Great race report, Peter. It almost makes me want to return to D.C. But the trade winds here in Hawaii are gentle right now, and the palm trees and mai tais are calling my name ...
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