Go Red. Go Black. Go Mad.
The popular slogan for James Madison High School in Vienna was particularly fitting Sunday morning, as hundreds of Mad Men - and women - braved raucous winds and bone-chilling cold to run, walk and jog in the 11th annual 5K Fun Run/Walk to benefit the Track and Field program.
“We owe a great deal of thanks to our many supporters and organizers, who helped make today a great fundraiser for our school,” said Craig Chasse, Madison’s head coach for Cross Country, Track and Field and the school’s Health and Physical Education Chair. “Considering the weather, we had a decent turnout.”
Chasse said the fundraiser will clear more than $2,000 for the Track and Field program, after paying for the police coverage, t-shirts, and other expenses.
Vienna Mayor Laurie DiRocco, a longtime runner and fitness enthusiast, was invited to launch the event by firing the starter pistol at 9 a.m. sharp.
“This is one of my favorite events,” DiRocco said. “Coach Chasse runs a fantastic program for any student who wants to participate, and the Madison community really rallies around that.”
Participants ran, walked and jogged their way around the gently rolling 3.1 mile course, approximately two loops around the school. The event ended with an Awards Ceremony held near the school’s stadium.
Chasse presented “Overall Awards” to the top three women and men in the 5K during the awards ceremony, as well as awards to the top three finishers in various age categories. Everyone who completed the race received a blue ribbon. For a complete list of race results, go to www.warhawksports.org on the Outdoor Track and Field Team Page.
Felicia Faragasso of Vienna, whose son, Joseph Feragasso, received a first-place finish in his 13-14 age group with a time of 22:21, said she had just started running and competing in 5K races. “Madison has a great program with a lot of community support. If I can run this race, I think anyone can do it,” she said. “So if you didn’t run this year, definitely do it next year!”
After the event, Chasse said he wants to acknowledge several parents and boosters who made the Fun Run/Walk a success.
“I’d like to give a big thank you to Lea Ann Stone for helping with sponsors/packet pickup and race day registration just to name a few things she did! Perry Shoemaker did a great job of getting many of the local businesses to donate prizes for the age group winners or donate money. Wayne Wu ran in the race and donated to the team and Cindy Wu gathered several sponsors. Sheila Murphy also donated and she placed in the most competitive age group in the 5K. And thank you to the many other parents who helped make this a great fundraiser for us!”
Top 3 Overall Women and Men in Sunday’s 5K Fun Run/Walk
(Times are Average Per Mile and Finals)
Overall Women
Julia Ghiselli of Annandale - 6:16 19:27
Debbie Rudisell of Vienna - 6:33 20:20
Stacey Kroetch of Chantilly - 6:40 20:41
Overall Men
Donovan Foley of South Riding - 5:37 17:27
Tanner Baldwin of Vienna - 6:18 19:35 3
Philip Goff of Vienna - 6:21 19:43