Ten local running stores participate in team competition at 34th MCM
QUANTICO, Va. - (November 24, 2009) - The Potomac River Running Store of Falls Church, VA, is the winner of the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Team Running Store Competition. Ten stores located in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC, organized teams of five runners who participated in the 34th MCM on Sunday, October 25.
The top two male and top female finishing times from each store team were combined, resulting in an overall winner. The team from Potomac River Running of Falls Church placed first with an overall average time of 3 hours, 11 minutes. 47 seconds, while its sister store, Potomac River Running of Rockville, MD, placed third (3:41:38). Fleet Feet Sports of Washington, DC, was runner-up in the annual competition with a team time of 3:38:14.
The winning team from the Potomac River Running Store of Falls Church consisted of Aaron Schwartzbard of Reston, VA, who finished the MCM in 2:42:28; Kory Jessen, also of Reston, who finished in 3:08:38 and Mary Klaff of Potomac Falls, VA, who led the team's women runners by finishing in 3:42:45. The MCM Staff will present a special plaque recognizing the team's victory at a ceremony to be hosted at the store on a date to be determined.
"As a running specialty store we are naturally entrenched in the buildup of the Marine Corps Marathon," said store owner Ray Pugsley. "As the race approaches, runners come into our stores to get their equipment. So we are indirectly involved as running gear supplier, and directly involved as participants in the team competition."
Pugsley, and his wife Cathy, and their partners Margie and Brendan Shapiro own seven Potomac River Running store locations in the DC Metro area. Runners from the Falls Church, Rockville and Ashburn Potomac River Running locations participated in the 34th MCM competition.
Voted "Best Marathon for Families," the Marine Corps Marathon continues a combined tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism. Currently ranked as the fifth largest marathon in the United States and ninth in the world, "The People's Marathon" boasts a course featuring the iconic landmarks of Washington, DC and Arlington, Virginia. The 35th MCM will be held on Sunday, October 31, 2010. Registration opens online beginning Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Visit: www.marinemarathon.com.
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