Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon

We photographed this race on Sunday - a point-to-point race that begins at Mount Vernon Estate, VA, continues up the George Washington Memorial Parkway, crosses the Potomac River on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and finishes at National Harbor, MD.  Steve Nearman is the event director and he and his committee have created an exciting and professional event, appealing to the regular runner and competitive at the front.  The race benefits six separate charities, making it more than just fun for the runners.

Clay and I have been the photographers both years and it is a fun day for us.  On the day of the 2010 race, the weather was perfect.  Sunday, however, was the first cold (slightly cold, but quite a change from previous months) day of the year.  At 5 am it was dark, windy, cold, and rainy.  By race start, however, the rain had stopped and the wind was less burdensome.  The sun even peeked out several times and created rainbows.  Riding the press truck (actually an expensive and beautiful Mercedes convertible donated by Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria) was great.

The race times were great, and both men and women had course records.  Four American men qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials which are scheduled for January in Houston.

On our drive home we stopped at IKEA, where we will buy new furniture for Clay's basement office, which was flooded on September 8, after both Irene and Lee came through our town within four days of each other and dropped approximately 12-15 inches of rain.

Moses Kepkosgei wins the men's division with a event record of 1:02:37.

Bekelech Bedada wins the women's division with a record time of 1:12:44.

Four American men ran times fast enough for the Olympic Marathon Trials

Moses Kipkosgei runs by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on his way to winning the race.  National Harbor is in background on right.

Wonderful finish line volunteers.

Michael Wardian finishing the race for 8th place among men.

Runners mug for photographer near mile 11.

Event director Steve Nearman focuses on doing good things for the community.  Here he poses with Brooke Curran who has raised more than $50,000 for charities through 2010 and has a goal of $50,000 more in 2011.  Her organization is called RunningBrooke.  Doreen Gentzler of NBC and honorary race chair is also pictured.

Amy McDonaugh, 34, of Irmo, SC, rounds a corner near the finish with a rainbow at her back on the way to winning the visually handicapped division in an amazing time of 1:24:00, for #5 among all women competitors.