There may be faster races or more runners participating in years to come, but there won’t be a nicer day than visited the First Annual Bishop Ireton 5k Race Sunday in Alexandria. While tens of thousands ran in the Army 10-miler, 65 runners bolted out of the Water Park just after 9am under a clear sky and a crisp 63 degree start. Matthew Lewis, 28, won easily in a time of 17:50 while 14-year old Matie Nelochea was the first womam finisher in 23:21. The crowd favorite, however, was the 73-year old Oblate priest, Father Al Smith, OSFS, who taught at Bishop Ireton from 1965 to 1979. Flanked by Raul Racaurte, class of 1968, and alumni affairs director, Terry Rainey, the three stepped along smartly through the course and finished strongly across the finish line in 42:47.
The course laid out by the Cardinals’ cross country mentor, Brad Byrnes, was a beautiful, peaceful route along the water as you entered Holmes Run Park and under the railroad bridge. Crossing back and forth over the water on foot bridges along the route while people strolled in the cool morning , the sunlight bathed warmly on the runners as they headed to the back side of Cameron Station. Greeting the runners as they entered the station, the aroma of the morning’s breakfast filled the air and the busy farmers’ market appeared to the left. Soon, down a lightly gravelled trail, the course bent back through the woods and quickly by a water stop. With that, the runners were headed back past the shoppers casually purusing the market’s wares to the water park and the slightly hilly climb back to Eisenhower Avenue and to the finish line. With finished runners making up the vast majority of the “crowd” cheering each competitor on, runners filed into the parking area and into the finish.
Race coordinator, Larry Clark, thanked the runners for their participation in the School’s first annual 5k race and encouraged them to make it an annual affair. Clark, an active triathlete, teamed up with the Club’s Jen Chastian, Gail Schwartz, and Booster president, Dan Babiec, to organize the event. Cross country coach, Brad Byrnes eagerly joined the effort and secured the services of Pacers, an Alexandria running store and veteran race organizing company. With a minimal marketing effort, the registrations began to come in. Many responded to the notices in school emails, race brochures, and some from bulletin boards at local gyms. “I saw a flyer at the Lee District Park,” said age group winner, Cindy Lorine, “a couple of my friends at the morning boot camp workout signed up with me.”
The results:
Women, age 1-19 Men, age 1-19
Alina Hall 24:36 Albert Selibiani 19:39
Women, age 20-29 Men, age 20-29
Allison Heck 26:20 Kurt Zwikl 20:57
Women, age 30-39 Men, age 30-39
Jill Stilmar 25:19 Duane Novotni 20:23
Women, age 40-49 Men, age 40-49
Karen Costantino 25:53 Mark Lausten 22:44
Women, age 50-59 Men, age 50-59
Cindy Lorine 27:25 Terry Kraft 20:28
Women, 60-99 Men, age 60-99
none Kevin O’Connor 30:41
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