The 45th annual Road Runners Clubs of American Maryland-D.C. Challenge was held Feb. 23 on the streets of Columbia. Several local running clubs competed over a 10-mile course to decide which had the fastest runners.
The Maryland and Washington running clubs engage in this challenge every year not for prize money but for the joy of giving their best on race day against like-minded competitors, with finishers receiving the coveted pair of cotton gloves.
As in years past, the course started and finished at Howard Community College. The race course is somewhat deceptive as the first few miles are a gradual downhill, leaving one to question when the 600 feet in elevation will arrive.
Runners don’t have to wait long as once the race crosses over Route 29, the elevation comes on strong — separating the runners who have done elevation work from those who haven’t during a few lonely miles in residential areas.
For such a competitive race, the crowds are sparse on an early Sunday morning with a few folks looking on with a cup of coffee clutched in their hands. Perhaps this is for the best as the true runner can be alone with their thoughts, measuring how they are feeling with every foot strike as they seek to use all of the available energy to put up their best time on that day.
This year, race morning brought pleasant temperatures with full sunshine to the 580 finishers and the 16 clubs that were represented. The overall male winner was Clark Otte, of the Howard County Striders, with a time of 52 minutes, 31 seconds (5:15 per mile), approximately 80 seconds off last year’s winning pace.
The women’s overall winner was Hannah Betman of the Howard County Striders with a time of 58:37 (5:32 per mile), one second faster than last year’s winning time and good for 41st overall.
Scott Koehler, of Accokeek, running for the Annapolis Striders, placed 57th overall in 1:00:17, while Nicole Dawson was the fastest local woman (1:22:20), only three seconds ahead of Katharine Ahrens (1:22:23).
Of the 580 finishers, 55 cracked the six-minute-per-mile mark with finishes under one hour, which is impressive.
Although individual times are represented, this is truly a team competition with cross country-style scoring in which the fastest six individuals for each team are counted toward the final score. Georgetown Running Club was the winning club on the men’s side, while the Howard County Striders were victorious on the women’s side.
Multiple Annapolis 10-Mile Run winner Julia Roman-Duval in 1:05:07 was a key contributor for the Howard County squad. The Howard County Striders also won the coed club competition with all of their scoring runners finishing below one hour.
The Annapolis Striders, Chesapeake Bay Running Club along with the Kent Island and Eastern Shore clubs were all well represented. The Striders led the team scoring among these clubs placing eighth out of 13 teams in the coed category with the men placing ninth overall and the women taking 10th. In the male grand masters category, the Striders finished fifth overall.
Congratulations to all of the runners, including our local competitors, who finished the race. For those who want to participate next year, you need only join a local club such as the Annapolis Striders, the Chesapeake Bay Running Club or the Kent Island Running Group. It is a great way to run with like-minded folks and have fun along the way.
Barlow Bolt
The 13th annual Barlow Bolt 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk will be held March 22 in Millersville with competitors starting and finishing at the Olde Mill Pool.
A true grassroots event organized by the Friends of Olde Mill and the Village of Olde Mill Community Association, the Barlow Bolt raises funds for the community and showcases what community members can do to tighten their bond.
Runners and walkers of all skill levels are welcome. For more information, visit vomca.org/barlowe-5k-bolt
Calendar
March 22: Annapolis Running Festival, Navy Marine Corps Stadium. Information: runsignup.com/Race/MD/Annapolis/AnnapolisRunningFestival
March 22: Hat Run 50K, Susquehanna State Park, Havre De Grace. Information: hatrun.com
March 30 (8 a.m.): B&A Marathon and Half Marathon. Information: Annapolisstriders.org
April 6: Delaware Running Festival, Wilmington. Information: delawaremarathon.org
April 12 (7 a.m.): Emily Schindler Memorial Scholarship Triathlon, Woods Community Center. Information: active.com/severna-park-md/triathlon/races/emily-schindler-memorial-scholarship-triathlon-2025
April 27 (8 a.m.): Cherry Pit 10-Miler, South River High. Information: Annapolisstriders.org
Send running news and calendar items to Bob Cawood at [email protected].
