In a stark contrast from last year s finish Sunday s result came as no surprise Bedada from Ethiopia was one of the favorites heading into the race. But his margin of victory was particularly stunning. The 33 year old became a one man pack shortly after the first mile pulling away from the durable Fernandez who won the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in May. Burkeville s Richard Morris finished third in men s competition with a time of 2 24 01.
Bedada was way out of sight. It would ve been nice to be able to catch him but there s always more race said Fernandez who took control of the second spot near Haines Point. I hadn t realized he had got that far ahead.
Aside from ramped up security in the wake of April s Boston Marathon bombing the event also featured a slightly restructured course that flattened the terrain between its sixth and ninth miles. Runners ventured through Rock Creek Park instead of a steep stretch past Georgetown Reservoir as in years past which contributed to faster times.
Like Bedada in the men s division Calway trampled the course and the field of competition. She stayed within striking distance through the first eighth of the race weaving from Arlington to the District took over the lead around mile 8 and I said I wasn t looking back she said. Calway said she didn t train for this marathon because of her job as a captain in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Carson Colo. and that made for a more painful and punishing race.
I was hurting she said.
She still found her second wind and controlled the end of the marathon which she first ran in 2008. Calway said she will deploy next week to Kuwait. That made Sunday a big day. Calway spent time with her family who including her 6 year old daughter cheered for her at the race. She relished talking to Marines getting a kick out of them calling her Ma am.
And she ran. It was the last trip she wanted to take before leaving for the Middle East and she ll leave Washington with a battered body and a major marathon win.
It s awesome to win this race representing the United States Army . . . this race is amazing Calway said. It s the last thing I m doing before shipping out. So it means the world to win this race.
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