Record Number of Runners in Round Robinson 5K

More than 450 runners participated in Sunday’s Round Robinson 5K supporting the Robinson Crew Team, breaking all records for participation in the history of the race. Last year’s total was 300 runners, which had also been a record-breaking attendance.   

Chris McGarrigal, 39, of Vienna, was the overall winner with a time of 17 minutes and 22 seconds. 

The overall first-place for female runner was Carol Currey of Springfield with a time of 19:27.

Once again, Fairview Elementary School’s Girls on the Run and Boys on the Trail came out in force with 90 members participating.

The Robinson rowers were joined by a small group of runners from the Woodbridge High crew team, demonstrating that while they compete against each other on the water, the teams can work together for the good of the sport during the off-season.            

The race organizers discovered a small glitch toward the end of the race – apparently during one turn on the course, runners had been mistakenly directed the wrong way.  As a result, it was determined that the distance run was a few tenths of a mile shorter than a full 5K (typically a 3.10 mile race).  The race organizers quickly detected the issue and apologized to the runners. 

Still, there were few complaints.  Most runners claimed that their motivation to participate was to support the crew team and to have a fun time with their neighbors during an unseasonably warm and sunny November morning.  The majority of the runners seemed to be having a great time as dads ran with strollers, moms ran holding toddlers’ hands, husbands and wives ran side by side, crew members jostled each other for better positions, and brothers sprinted to beat sisters to the finish line.

One Robinson Crew mom mentioned that the first Round Robinson 5K her family participated in several years ago inspired her family to run together in other races.  They now have completed multiple other 5Ks and marathons in the region.

For some, the race offered an opportunity to demonstrate that running skills and competitiveness run in the family.  Isabelle Melone, a Robinson Crew member, and her younger sister, Josephine, each placed in their age group.

Winners in other categories included:  

13-15 year olds

Male:  Connor Siggins, 15, of Fairfax Station, with a time of 18:13.  [This  is the second year in a row he has won in this age group]

Female: Emma Slayton, 15, of Burke, with a time of 21:19.                  

16-19 year olds:

Male: Alex Min of Burke, 17, with a time of 17:41. [This is the second year in a row he has won in this age group]

Female:  Amelia Jindra of Fairfax, 16, with a time of 20:21. 

20-29 year olds:

Female: Anna Lewis of Fairfax, 20, with a time of 33:54.

Male: Anthony Devlin of Fairfax, 22, with a time of 21:13.                  

30-39 year olds

Male: Jon Barrett of Lake Ridge, with a time of 22:12.  Barrett is head coach of Robinson Crew and also won in this category last year.   

Female: Deanna Hamm of Burke, with a time of 25:18.

40-49 year olds:

Male: Dennis Billings of Woodbridge with a time of 17:25.

50-59 year olds:

Male: Brian Kelly of Fairfax, with a time of 19:25.

Female: Elaine Runkel of Burke, with a time of 27:15.

60-over

Male:  Dale Howell of Burke, with a time of 23:23.

Female: Patricia Canestra-Heenan of Arlington, with a time of 41:05.

Full race results can be found at http://prracing.racebx.com/files/results/4d9205ce-7a0c-46c1-8929-4f56c0a86522/521cfa49-f96c-4f62-ade1-2352c0a86524/mikes%20crew%20overall.htm

The Robinson Crew Booster Club does not receive any school or county funding, which means it needs to reach out to the community to raise funds to ensure the continued success of the program.   It costs about $1,900 per rower a season to cover equipment, coach’s salaries and other expenses associated with a successful rowing experience.  The booster club extends a very heartfelt thank you to the entire community for supporting the 5K event.

Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, Burke, Great Harvest Bread Company, Burke, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Fairfax and Trader Joe's, Fairfax, donated food for the event.  Dick’s Sporting Goods donated water bottles