Andrew Benford wins 4th Annual McLean 5K (October 1, 2011)

Andrew Benford set a course record
in the 4th Annual McLean 5K.

Andrew Benford went to McLean, Virginia yesterday looking for a race.  The end result of his effort was a course record win in the 4th Annual McLean 5K...Benford's winning time of 15:09.0 for the hilly event broke the course record by 35 seconds. The old record of 15:45.5 was set last year by Mark Drath.

He is a NCAA DI All-American in the 3K steeplechase this spring for the Richmond Spiders, is training for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials to be held next summer in Eugene, Oregon...and currently serving as an assistant coach for his Alma Mater. 

Benford took the lead at the start and never looked back as he pushed to victory over a field of nearly 400 runners.  In the first mile, which is nearly all uphill, he forged a large lead and never relinquished it during the race.  

On Wednesday of this week Benford will travel with the USA Team to Izumo, Japan for the Izumo Ekiden relay race. Today's event served as a final tune-up for the Izumo Ekiden to be held October 10th.

"I put in a good effort on that first uphill mile and came through around 4:50", said Benford. "The course was not as fast I thought it would be, but I felt it was a good effort. I got in some work for the race in Japan next week which was what I wanted."

Proceeds from the event benefit the Children’s National Medical Center, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, and Habitat for Humanity. 

"There are several great service organizations this race benefits and it's great to be part of the race for that reason." 
McLean 5K Champions List:

2011- Andrew Benford 15:09.0 Course Record
2010- Mark Drath 15:45.5
2009- Ted Poulos 18:42.0
2008- Luke Holman 18:29.2

4th Annual McLean 5K Results Link (October 1, 2011) HERE 

Service Organizations Who Benefit from this Race:

Children's National Medical Center is a pediatric hospital in Washington, DC which is a leader in developing innovative new treatments for childhood illness and research.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was founded in 1970. 

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. T1D is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with T1D have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump--each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its potential complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. 

Wounded Warrior Project programs are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. Under each of these program areas, Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) offers a variety of programs to meet a range of needs for our Wounded Warrior's.

Habitat For Humanity vision:  a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Celebrate World Habitat Day tomorrow (October 3rd, 2011)..In recognition of World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates are hosting hundreds of events to address the need for decent housing worldwide.

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McLean 5K Race Report

The finish line awaits.

By James Moreland

McLean, VA
October 1, 2011
For the Washington Running Report

In its fourth year this little race is starting to gain momentum. The first two years the winners of the race barely broke 19:00 on a course that, while never flat, has no hills of consequence. In the second year, hometown legend Ted Poulos measured the field and ran just fast enough to win in 18:42. Take note that Sarah Spalding finished only one second later to keep things interesting. Then in 2010 some very fast runners entered the fray. Michaela Courtney easily set the women’s event record in a sparkling 17:22 that was sixth overall a stride behind Craig Clar. Poulos who has a PR of 15:48 settled for a division win in 18:32. Mark Drath lowered the bar beating runner-up Christopher Pruitt by a 100 meters in 15:44. Finishers nearly doubled to just short of 300 finishers.


READ MORE HERE