Koehler added, “I am a member of the Annapolis Striders. The benefits are having access to a group of like-minded folks, reduced prices for some races, and keeping me motivated to race. The A10 is a great time. It has a big race feel without the big race stress that you would get from a major marathon, or 10-mile race in DC. After completing the fourth mile on the bridge, Hannah Betman from the Howard County Striders emerged as the leading female. McKenna Brownell of Washington was trailing in second, followed by Hannah Flinchum of Gaithersburg, Md. Betman had a time of 1:00:08 (18th fastest winning time) followed by Brownell with a time of 1:02:28. Flinchum was third with 1:03:48. “I knew the race was hilly, so my plan was to stay controlled through the beginning of the race and to keep a consistent effort, even over the hills, instead of letting the effort to get too high over the hills. I am in the midst of training for the NYC marathon, so my plan was to use this race as a strong workout effort as I was planning to train through the race,” stated Betman. “The race had more runners than I expected! It was cool to have so many runners from different areas, locally and from out of town. Honestly, I did not know how far ahead of the next woman I was. I try to run my race and not worry too much about what’s going on behind me. I knew that if I stuck with my plan, I could hold on to a consistent speed, which would make it hard for someone to pass me once I was ahead. But you never know, “added Betman.
U.S. Naval Academy Marathon Team.
The winning female master was Colleen Weber of Arnold, Md., at a time of 1:06:02 (16th fastest winning time). The runner-up was Teresa Allman of Honolulu, HI, at a time of 1:08:24. Karri Liisi Linask of Rockville, Md., was third at a time of 1:10:01. “I didn’t have a strategy, other than to start with the seven-minute pace group and see how I felt. This was my first A10, so I was just excited to see the course and get out with the running community. This was my first race in Annapolis, so I thought the competition was great, and to have so many ladies around to work with,” stated Allman. The race served as the RRCA Eastern Re- gion 10-Mile Championship with Otte and Betman as the champions. In 1992, the Patty O’Brien Memorial Award was established. It is given to the first Anne Arundle County finisher. O’Brien was an accomplished athlete and well-known in
Senator John Astle at the 2010 A-10.
the running community. The 2024 recipient was Colleen Weber of Arnold with a time of 1:05:59. The Commander Willie McCool Award was started in 2003 and is awarded to the first Naval Academy alumni. Commander McCool was a 1983 graduate and the pilot of the space shuttle Columbia. On February 1, 2003, he perished along with the crew during re-entry only 16 minutes prior to landing. He received a Master of Science degree from the Univer- sity of Maryland in 1985. The 2024 recipient was Timothy O’Conner of Annapolis with a time of 1:07:04. O’Connor graduated with the Class of 2007. The organizers present the Lt. Col. Ben Moore Award to the first male finisher from Anne Arundel County. Moore was a long-time Strider and trained many runners for their first marathon. Moore passed away in 2008. The first year for the award was in 2013. The 2024 recipient was Brian Clapp of Annapolis with a time of 56:14. Photos provided by George Banker
Men's Leaders
THE STREAK I SUMMER 2025
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