Anna Bradford -- Reston Runners at the JFK50-Miler
22 November 2003

On November 22, 2003, 46 Reston Runners lined up at the starting line at the JFK 50 Mile Ultramarathon, and 44 crossed the finish line later that day. It was a warm and beautiful Saturday in Hagerstown, with clear skies and temperatures rising into the 60's in the afternoon. The course offered runners a little of everything: hilly roads for a 3 mile warm up, rocky trails until mid morning, a long flat jog along the Potomac River on the C&O Canal during the bulk of the day, and an 8 mile tour through Western Maryland's rolling country roads to the finish in Williamsport, MD.

The bravest of the crowd were the 15 running their first 50 mile race: Craig Glover, Beverly Bennet, Barbara Friedman, Kim Derosa, Scott Sampson, John Moore, Augustin Garay, John Kelly, Ed Cacciapaglia, Beth Thomas, Donna Rostant, Joyce Adams, Jeff Voilette, Kristina O'Neill and Linda Shultz. Seven of our first timers joined us from out of state, signing up as Reston Runners on-line, receiving coaching and mentoring over email, and meeting their teammates for the first time at the Last Supper Friday night before the race.

While each of the first-timers were guaranteed a Personal Record with their finish, nine other veteran runners trained and ran especially well this year, securing a JFK PR for their efforts: Russ Evans, Steve Burton, Loretta Malander, Jim Cavanaugh, Diane Lathom, Jeff Windland, John Brannock, KC Guevara, and Brian Fillman. Of these ultrasuccessfuls, Russ Evans (44) was the first Reston Runner to finish, running his 50 miles in 8 hours and 22 minutes. Russ claims he plans to skip the 2004 JFK to avoid the temptation of pushing for a JFK streak of 10 in a row (he's finished 5). Diane Lathom (33) finished a winning 2003 year with a 50 mile PR (9:33), after securing the mile, 5k, 10k, and marathon PRs over the summer. Jim Cavanaugh (61) surprised himself and his teammates (he ran on the famous "Jim Team" which had its 5th consecutive running this year) when he was the first Jim to finish in 9:31. Probably the most impressive PR, however, goes to Loretta Malander (44), Reston Runners' JFK Golden Girl. Loretta has run 6 JFKs, each one faster than the last, culminating in an 8:33 this year.

Several Reston Runners have joined the 250 mile club (5 JFKs) and are working their way into the 500 mile club. Russ, Keith Whited, and Jim Ashworth completed their 5th JFK this year; Bill Van Antwerp, Jim Nagle, and Loretta have run 6; Chuck Thomas has completed 8; and Jim and Anna Bradford have run 9. Jim Bradford is crossing his fingers that he will not be required to run more than 10 JFKs, but between you and me, his chances are slim. Bill Turrentine has run circles around the crowd with 12 JFK 50 mile finishes and many dozens of other ultramarathons.

The true heroes of the day, however, were the nearly 55 crew members who crawled out of bed hours before sunrise in order to drive long dusty country roads, carry runners' bags, refill water bottles, massage sore legs, feed hungry faces, change muddy shoes, and cheer on tired and worn runners throughout the day. As appreciative as the runners are for the incredible help, most become quite self-focused on race day, and increasingly so as the day wears on. Volunteer support crew face their task much as a skilled labor coach might support a woman giving birth: with gentle, persistent encouragement and forgiveness, and a steady eye toward the shared prize at the end: a 50 mile victory and a long nap.

One hundred Reston Runner crew and runners shared the JFK experience in 2003, and each was blessed with a unique story to tell at the end. Ask any of them about that day: you'll be sure to hear an earful. And if you want to join us in 2004 and become the 118th Reston Runner to finish a JFK 50, let me know and we'll put you on the team.

Reston Runners JFK 50 Finish Times