Sunday’s Leesburg 20K was yet another fun filled morning spent with my MRTT and Cruiser running buddies! Believe me, I sometimes pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming because I have so many good friends who share my running passion, and each race morning seems like a party to me.
Proceeds from the race benefited the YMCA of Loudoun County’s youth programs, and it’s always nice to run a race that benefits something I find important. I ran this race last year after a ten year sabbatical, and wondered why I had skipped it for so many years. It’s turned into one of my favorites, so I have a feeling I’ll be returning many times.
For the second year in a row, we had great weather. Lower humidity made the mid-August heat bearable, and with a 7:30 AM start time we were finished before the temps got too high. Much of the race was run on the tree-lined and shaded W&OD Trail, a trail that know like the back of my hand since I run on it regularly.
Friday’s packet pick-up was super easy at the Leesburg Potomac River Running Store. Race swag included an adorable race shirt, cute little pin, and coordinated race bib. The shirt fits perfectly, and I love that it’s white. Again this year it’s got a cow and barn on the front – something this farm girl loves.
![Leesburg20KShirtBib](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KShirtBib.jpg?resize=544%2C600&ssl=1)
![Leesburg20KPin](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KPin.jpg?resize=300%2C269&ssl=1)
Erin arrived bright and early to pick me up (we take turns driving to races), and we arrived in Leesburg about thirty minutes before the race started. She has a secret parking place so we were in and out with a zip.
Our first order of business was to meet in front of Tuscarora Mill for an MRTT multi-chapter pre-race picture.
![Leesburg20KMultiChapterMRTT](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KMultiChapterMRTT.jpg?resize=600%2C239&ssl=1)
As soon as we took the big group picture, our chapter stayed for our own picture. The race hosted both a 20K and 5K, and we had runners participating in both.
![Leesburg20KAshburnMRTT](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KAshburnMRTT.jpg?resize=600%2C410&ssl=1)
Beth, Amanda, and I double-dip and are also Cruisers as well as MRTT teammates, so of course we got a picture of just us. Several other Cruisers were running in the race, and we planned to catch up with them after the race.
![Leesburg20KCruiserGirls](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KCruiserGirls.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
After pictures we made our way to the starting line and self-seeded. Erin (a different Erin than I rode to the race with), whom I met and ran with at the spring trail series runs, Beth, and I started together. Beth had already run a few miles prior to the race because she’s training for a fall marathon, so I had hopes of being able to keep up with her. Spoiler alert – I couldn’t.
I went into the race knowing that I was nowhere nearly in the same racing shape as I was for last year’s Leesburg 20K when I averaged 8:30 minute/miles. My goal was to run sub-nines, and I had hopes of perhaps even running 8:50’s. Another spoiler alert – that didn’t happen either.
![Leesburg20KErinDebBeth](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KErinDebBeth.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
Photo credit: Potomac River Running
As you can see from the course elevation, the Leesburg 20K is a great race for reverse splits, and I tried my best to follow my plan and run them.
![Leesburg20KElevationChart](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Leesburg20KElevationChart.jpg?resize=600%2C320&ssl=1)
The course was an out-and-back, so we were able to see the lead runners heading back toward us which is always very cool. The W&OD Trail didn’t seem overly crowded with 914 of us 20K runners because we were pretty well spread out by the time we turned onto the trail. I enjoyed watching for the front runners and cheering for them as they cruised down the hill while I was still plowing up it, and I loved watching for my friends, both in front and behind me, and encouraging them on.
After the turn-around-point, my MRTT friends, Gayle, Angela, and Danielle caught up and passed me, and I didn’t think I’d see them again. I caught them at a water stop and jockeyed back-and-forth with them for several miles. Eventually they pulled ahead, but never out of sight, and I almost caught them at the finish line.
One of my favorite pictures of the day was of my Cruiser friend Amit smiling as he closed in on the finish line.
![Leesburg20KAmit](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KAmit.jpg?resize=398%2C600&ssl=1)
Amit – photo credit: Potomac River Running
And my favorite runner costumes were worn by these two cow-ladies who dress up for all of our area races!
![Leesburg20KCowGirls](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KCowGirls.jpg?resize=398%2C600&ssl=1)
Photo credit: Potomac River Running
While still out on the trail, the finish line was being prepared for the winner…
![Leesburg20KFinishLine](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KFinishLine.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
Photo credit: Potomac River Running
Jame Luehrs finished in 1:07:20 with the second place finisher almost three minutes behind him.
![Leesburg20KWinner](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KWinner.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
Photo credit: Potomac River Running
The female open winner was Bethany Sachtleben who finished in 1:15:32, almost three minutes in front of the second place female.
![Leesburg20KFemaleWinner](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KFemaleWinner.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
Photo credit: Potomac River Running
See the guy in the orange shirt in the picture below? We ran the last few miles together, and at one point I motioned for him to go in front of me to pass a slower runner in front of us. He thought I meant for him to go on without me, and he said, “No, we’re in this together,” so I pulled past the slower runner first. We ran side-by-side without much talking and as we made the left turn off of the trail to head up Market Street to the finish line, I said, “Okay, let’s finish strong,” and we both pushed a little harder.
I finished with a time of 1:53:39 (9:10 pace), but according to our GPS watches the course was 12.6 miles, so my pace was actually 9:01. Not that I’m competitive with myself or anything!
![Leesburg20KDebFinishing](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KDebFinishing.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
Photo credit: Potomac River Running
And as soon as I finished, I was handed this adorable cow finisher’s medal.
![Leesburg20KFinishersMedal](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KFinishersMedal-1.jpg?resize=600%2C565&ssl=1)
Beth finished strong and about three minutes ahead of those of us pictured below. The rest of us finished within seconds of each other, and I just barely missed catching up to my three friends that I’d chased and mentioned earlier.
![Leesburg20KMRTTGirlsPostRace](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KMRTTGirlsPostRace.jpg?resize=600%2C433&ssl=1)
Soon after we finished, Beth and I were able to find our Cruiser friends Murali and Ravi, and spend a few minutes visiting with them.
![Leesburg20KCruisersPostRace](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KCruisersPostRace.jpg?resize=600%2C439&ssl=1)
We eventually found our way to the food area, and I had a banana and grabbed another water. I snapped this picture before the race while the volunteers were setting up.
![Leesburg20KFood](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KFood-1.jpg?resize=445%2C600&ssl=1)
My friends and I headed over to the awards ceremony, and when my name was called for second place in my age group, I had such a loud cheering section that the announcer commented on it! #MRTTLove
![Leesburg20KDebAward](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KDebAward.jpg?resize=600%2C443&ssl=1)
My second place age group prize was this coveted cowbell and a $20 gift certificate to Potomac River Running Store!
![Leesburg20KAwards](https://i0.wp.com/debruns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Leesburg20KAwards.jpg?resize=442%2C600&ssl=1)
As expected, the Leesburg 20K was a fantastic race; and any day that brings together so many of my running friends is a great day for me!
- Questions:
- A 20K is not a very common distance for a race, have you ever run one??
- What is your favorite post-race food?
- Did you race this past weekend?
I did the Leesburg 20K two years ago as a training run. Boy, those hills! Cute medals this year. Congrats on the AG award!![My Profile](https://debruns.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
Kelli recently posted…Stinging Nettles and a Brew Pub
Thanks, Kelli! I do weekly hill repeats each summer specifically to get ready for the hills in this and another race.
Great photos and great medals! I haven’t done this race yet never seems to fit in at the right time for me. Wish it was in the fall. Nice recap![My Profile](https://debruns.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Grilled Peach Summer Slaw
Let me know if it ever fits into your schedule and I’ll make sure to run it! 🙂
way to go! That was a tough one last year but it was fun hanging with you after the race. I was out of town for this year’s race so couldn’t make it. Was (kind of :)) sad to miss it!![My Profile](https://debruns.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…MCM Training Recap, Week Eleven
Thanks, Courteny! I definitely thought of you, Julie, and the other ladies I met at last year’s race. Perhaps next year you can join us again!
I’m always down in OBX during this race. Sad to miss it, but I’m not sure I could handle running in the heat, anyway. I dislike running races from May-August… ha!
We’ve been lucky with the weather these last two years. Hope I didn’t just jinx next year’s race! Ha!
Congrats on the AG award! I hope to run this again next year (bummed I was still in Alaska..but happy to be in Alaska). The medal and cowbell were adorable! Great pics too.![My Profile](https://debruns.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
Jennifer recently posted…Out of the Office
Thanks, Jennifer! I would have loved to see you, but excited for you visiting Alaska!
I love the Leesburg 20K and have run it the past 3 years. That’s me photobombing your finish line photo!
HaHaHa – that is so cool! 😀
Love the costumes of the cow ladies. Glad you had such a great race !![My Profile](https://debruns.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Weekly wrap #3 : the Bordeaux region
And in France we have a ton of 20K races…. it is a typical race distance here.![My Profile](https://debruns.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Weekly wrap #3 : the Bordeaux region
That’s cool. I can’t think of any other local 20K’s, but I’m sure there are some I’m just not aware of.
I know, weren’t they adorable!
20k-wow never even heard of that distance!
Good job-love the cow award! Way to go on your age group-you rock!!
Thank you! I wonder if race organizers feel that if runners are going to run 12.4 miles, they’d prefer to run .7 more miles and make it a half. I kind of like the distance, though.
I’m glad you had such a great race, and congrats on the AG place! You know I love the theme for this race’s t-shirt and medal. I remember reading your race recap last year and thinking “that’s a race I want to do!” but then I forgot about it until this year. Ack! Maybe next year. I hope they don’t drop the cow/farm theme!
Thank you! I will do my best to remind you about this race next year, but isn’t it during your vacation time at the beach?
You’re right – it is. Maybe that is why I didn’t actually write it down last year. But we are looking at possibly going to the beach a little later next year, so maybe it will be feasible? We will see – everything is up in the air right now.
If you (or you and Barry) decide to run it, you know that you have a place to stay the night before. I’ll have your room ready! 🙂
[…] Leesburg 20K has become one of my favorite races despite the risk of facing brutal August heat and […]
[…] humid, hilly, and left nothing to make me want to run it again. Fast forward to 2014 and then 2015 when I decided to give the race another chance and quickly learned that I really liked the […]
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