Race Recap: GRC Father's Day 8K

As evening twilight approached, the humidity remained thick; the clouds of dust rising from the C&O Canal Towpath choked the air. The crowd of anxious runners edged closer to the starting line. Awaiting them at the end of the race - a tantalizing beacon - rows upon rows of Georgetown Cupcakes at the finisher's table, bravely standing up to the heat as long as their frosted tops would allow. 

GRC's Susan Hendrick and Maura Carroll with the cupcakes
photo: Erin Masterson

Some people choose to honor their fathers on Father's Day by taking them to brunch. Others, by sending a card, or a gift of a new tie or socks. For over 260 runners, however, the best way to honor their fathers was to show up and race the 4th annual Georgetown Running Club (GRC) Father's Day 8K, held Sunday evening, June 16 at the C&O Canal Towpath in Georgetown. The Father's Day 8k was started by GRC as a way to support the elite racers of GRC as they travel to national-class meets around the country. Perks of the race, in addition to the fast, flat course and scenic out and back route, included the post-race Georgetown Cupcakes and a sweaty happy hour/awards ceremony at Chadwicks in Georgetown. The race attracted a variety of runners of all ages and skill sets, both local to DC and from as far away as Flagstaff, AZ, and also included a number of father/daughter and father/son teams and family groups.


NOVA's Mike Naff with
NOVA/GRC Coach Jerry Alexander
photo: Erin Masterson 

As GRC is coached by NOVA's own Coach Jerry Alexander, several NOVA members decided to brave the heat and humidity to race in support of Coach Jerry and his runners. Mike Naff ("Coast Guard Mike") finished with a solid time of 32:34, despite some difficulties with the heat. Making the most of Father's Day, his wife and four kids were there to cheer him on. Running her 14th race of 2013, and third race in the month of June, Erin Masterson ("NOVA Social Media Director") finished 4th female overall and first in her age group with a time of 34:10. She appreciated the opportunity to support local runners and Coach Jerry, but regretted that the race hurt SO MUCH. Next time, she suggests to Coach Jerry that he plan a race that is not at the height of DC summer heat.

Leading the race overall was GRC's Ryan Witters, 24, who finished with a strong time of 25:47, though also dealing with some difficulties with the summer weather conditions. The top female finisher, with a time of 28:15, was Claire Hallissey, 30, a DC area transplant from Britain who also happens to be an Olympian. The top father/son award was taken by Matthew (17) and Dan Wattendorf (43) of Alexandria, VA, while taking first place in the father/daughter duo was Povi Plank (13) and Dad Gary Plank (56).

Full results can be found here: http://www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/20130616.html