16 October 2004

Mark Gilmore not only led a large contingent of Howard County Striders at the Baltimore Marathon, he was also the third Marylander to finish and, representing the Navy, the first finisher from the Armed Forces. Meanwhile, Jason Tripp ran with the top women marathoners; after he pulled away from them, he set a personal record. Jerry Warfield made a statement among the over-60 men with a 3:18, which won the age group and also beat the finishers in the 55-59 AG, who were also Howard County Striders. 2189 completed the marathon.

The marathon served as the prime event in the Baltimore Distance Festival, which also included a half marathon (2809 finished), a 5k (778 finished), and a marathon relay. Strider Alvin Yew anchored the winning Trep Runners team (2:34:41), but the all-Strider Maryland Track Club team (Mike Dusenbery, Mehdi Addadi, Mike Brosenne, Luis Diaz) wasn't that far behind (2:44:25). Pat Wilkerson, Pat Keating, Julie Thienel, and Tacy Feliciano teamed to win the women's marathon team competition (3:00:51). There were 66 men's teams and 58 women's teams.

-- by Jim Carbary