The Extra Mile
National Marathon Perks Up for 2nd Run
Sunday, March 18, 2007; Page E03
As it gears up for its second running Saturday, the National Marathon seems to be finding its stride.
Registration for the marathon and half marathon is at 4,300, just about double last year's field, in which 2,200 registered for the inaugural event; 731 finished the marathon and nearly 1,000 completed the half.
After operating without a title sponsor last year, the race recently announced a two-year deal with a District-based online wireless retailer, and is now officially the Wirefly National Marathon.
Perhaps most tellingly, a late course adjustment last week near the Lincoln Memorial because of National Park Service concerns was handled smoothly and without fanfare, unlike a last-minute controversy last year over police funding that flared into finger-pointing and disparaging remarks about the event by then-mayor Anthony A. Williams.
"This year is all about progression," race director Keith Dowling said. "It's all about building upon the strong precedent set with our first race to create a world-class event." Dowling also is hopeful that the District's new mayor, Adrian M. Fenty (D), will run the half marathon.
Last year's marathon course ran into the western portion of Prince George's County, where a dearth of spectators and hills made for some difficult miles toward the end. Now the marathon is wholly within the city limits; runners will traverse parts of every District quadrant, with the last four miles somewhat downhill from Michigan Avenue along First Street NW, and then east along K Street, H Street and D streets in Northeast before returning to the start-finish area at RFK Stadium.
Modest qualifying standards and a 7 a.m. start should ensure that marathon runners will exit the downtown core at Mile 18 no later than 10:45. Rolling closures will be enforced according to a timetable, and laggards are requested to continue on the sidewalk or catch a ride back to the stadium.
Last year's marathon winner, Michael Wardian, from Arlington, will defend his title and attempt to meet the Olympic trials qualifying standard of 2 hours 22 minutes. Wardian won the inaugural event in 2:30:55.
? NO THANKS: I didn't see many -- okay, any -- of you when I made my rounds Friday. And that's all right, perhaps the rain and sleet made it a good day to stay inside. But I wanted to give a shout out to the cars that refused to share flooded roads. I was the guy in the green jacket, quietly cursing you.
-- Jim Hage
