The Boy Has Teeth 

Nick Whited (Raven, VA) has grabbed a hold of his training like a pit bull on a pork chop.  Nick decided it would be best to change venues and days on one of his interval sessions.  So instead of doing a workout alone on Friday, he went to the
Bluefield Wellness Center 10K on Saturday in Bluefield, VA to get his work done with a crowd around.  Over a tough course, typically about 3-4 minutes slower than flatter 10K races, Nick did his hard intervals followed by relaxed jog recoveries and stormed through the field to finish his interval workout in 37:03 for a 2 minute win. 

Another Hot Day in Roanoke 

Steve Crowder (Botetourt, VA) continued his return to peak form with a 2^nd place finish on Saturday in Roanoke, Virginia’s Festival in the Park 10K.  Over the notoriously hard course under typical Memorial Day Weekend heat, Steve battled most of the race in 2^nd or 3^rd place, but at 5 miles, threw in a surge which proved unmatchable by his opponent.  As Steve closed on the finish line, he also gained ground on the eventual winner, narrowing the gap to just 25 seconds.  Steve’s 2 year old daughter, Kaitlyn was on the sideline watching—unclear as to what her Daddy was running from.

Nice Day, Tough Course

Helene Strutko (Harvey’s Lake, PA) ran Saturday’s 31^st Annual Danville Memorial Trail 12K Run in Danville, PA.  On a beautiful 70 degree morning the course climbed a very steep hill at 1.5 miles, but relented to a fast rolling downhill on the backside before becoming mostly flat to just before the finish, when it climbed again and headed back into town.  Helene ran a strong race to finish 5^th female overall. 

A Tough Tangle 

Jorge Pardo (Brooklyn, NY) traveled back to his home town in northern Virginia on Memorial Day Weekend for the Cascades 10K in Sterling, VA.  Two of the Washington D.C. area’s toughest road racers Phillipe Rolly (current course record holder) and Ray Pugsley gave Jorge a run for his money.  After taking the lead through the mile with Rolly and Pugsley in tow, Jorge and Rolly battled through the next miles with the advantage eventually going to Rolly.  Pugsly eventually kicked Jorge down as they finished Rolly, Pugsly, and Pardo, 1, 2, and 3, respectively.  Jorge had won the event last year in 33:21, but his time this year, 9 seconds faster, was good for 3^rd, but still earned his reward of a new pair of training flats.