NEWS!
3 New State Records Set at 5k Qualifer
It was a cool, overcast day—perfect for running—and more than 200 senior enthusiasts participated in the annual Kentlands/Lakelands 5k run in Gaithersburg, which served as the 5k qualifier for the 2008 Maryland Senior Olympics.
There were three new MSO records established and a lot of familiar faces and old friends among the field. The top three finishers in each age group qualify for the 2009 National Senior Games in San Francisco. The most celebrated of the old friends was the amazing Alvin Guttag of Gaithersburg, who moved up to the 90-plus age group this year and ran a 1:07.2 to once again qualify for the National Senior Games.
After running for more than 70 years, Guttag is hinting at retirement from competitive races. He’s run the 1,500 meters at the Track & Field events Sept. 20 and will compete in the 5900-yard freestyle swim competition Oct. 11.
The most amazing performance of the day came from 81-year-old Nianxiang Xie of Rockville, whose time of 27 minutes, 6 seconds, not only broke Robert Gelman’s 2004 state mark of 28:55 and bested many much younger runners, but is a time that challenges for a National Seniors Games record.
Another record-setter was Chris Craun, 62, of Bethesda. A four-time Boston Marathoner, Craun was participating in her first Maryland Games, and immediately established a new 60-64 age group mark of 22:40 by eclipsing one of Joanne Mallet’s three state records (23:16.3).
"I'd never run it before — I saw the thing about the Senior Olympics and my friend bugged me to do it," she told The Gazette papers. "I didn't know there was such a thing, but we're all hyped from the Beijing Olympics, so it was appealing to do it.”
The other record was set by Debbie Flynn, 52, of Gaithersburg who broke Meredith Bunta’s 1996 record of 21:35 by running a swift 20:42—a time that is going to compete strongly at the National Games.
There several familiar faces in the winner’s circle, among them Tami Graf, 72, of Lusby. Once again she was a winner in the women’s 70-74 group. Barbara Garner, 69, of Catonsville is a repeat champ in the women’s 65-69.
George Waxler, 77, of Frederick was the men’s 75-79 age group champion in 2006 but finished second to George Yannakais, 76, of Sparks this year. Likewise, Robert Smith, 74, lost his men’s 70-74 age group title to Donald Kohler, 72, of New Market.
Hy Levasseur, 70, of Edgewater was second in the men’s 65-69 age group in 2006, bumped up to the 70-74 group and finished third.
The 10k race qualifier will be held Nov. 2 at the annual Rockville 10k run, the final event of the 2008 Maryland Senior Games.
• 2008 Maryland Senior Olympics 5k Run Results (pdf)
