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Sunday, January 14, 2001 -- DC, MD
Last Plain to Boston Marathon
Story and photos by Beth Herr

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3]

Race Pic
An early, beautiful start
According to co-director John Warden, good weather, lots of food, and great volunteers are all key elements to a sucessful marathon. And that they had at the 2001 Last Plain to Boston marathon. Luckily for the 80+ participants, the head winds typical of Hains Point were only a mild breeze on this chilly Sunday morning.

This race began in 1998 and is a qualifier for the Boston marathon. The USATF-certified marathon course is flat and consists of a little more than 8 loops around Hains Point in D.C. Unlike other marathons, the Marine Corps which is run about 70% in D.C., this event is the only marathon that remains in D.C. throughout its entirety. That makes it appealing to members of the 50 states plus D.C. club, who run a marathon in every state.

Race Pic
Those who run together....
With the Washington monument illumniated behind them, racers lined up partway around the course at 7am. Several loyal supporters dotted the sides as the pack dissasppeared into the darkness of the dim morning light. Though a few ran individually, most participants kept company with one or several other runners. Over the next 3+ hours, some would linger, others would excell and still more would push their bodies to the limit.

Race Pic
And the crowd roars!
As for variety to the course, John Warden would swear that with a 2' elevation drop, next to a track, this is the flattest course in the world. He explained, 'The race which was run as a 45K for several years until 1999 the race director, Ted Cochrane, was asked as a favor to shorten it and run it as a marathon." Thus was born a very well received opportunity for die-hard runners to continue their journey. May every road, no matter how flat, lead you to a new adventure.