At dawn on Sunday, May 2, about 200 runners will participate in the Potomac River Run Marathon and Half-Marathon, starting at Belle Haven Park and heading down and back on the Mount Vernon Trail.

The half-marathon is one out-and-back loop. The marathon is two loops. The course is partly flat, partly hilly, with water/aid stations every mile or so.

The course is on a 10-foot-wide trail, so for runners' safety, the start will be split into three flights:
6:00 am - Early Birds
6:30 am - Coffee Achievers
7:00 am - Top Flight (qualifying time: 3:30 or better)
Participants may choose their preferred flight.

Awards will be given to the top 3 overall, top 3 by five-year age-group, and "first in flight," male and female. All finishers will receive medals and certificates immediately after the race.

Most of the course is along the Potomac River, near the George Washington Memorial Parkway. At dawn, runners will see herons, cranes, geese, and perhaps deer.

Sponsors include Big Wheel Bikes (who donated a $1,000 certificate toward purchase of a bike), [Primus Telecommunications, The Chrisopher Companies,] Virginia Hospital Center, Mario's Pizza House, Carvel Ice Cream, Whole Foods, Dan Kain Trophies, Dominion Electric Supply, Dr. Bernard Etherly, Brown Honda, DrinkMore Water, Giant Food, and dozens of local stores, theaters, and restaurants.

Among men, top seeds are Robert Radzwich and Erik Werner, both of Pennsylvania ...; among women, Courtney Ohlweiler of Arlington, VA ... and Dr. Antonia Baum of Chevy Chase, MD.

Coordinated by the Arlington Cooperation Foundation, the event is supported by 11 running clubs and the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.

"Our race committee has worked hard to create this new marathon," said event director Jay Jacob Wind. "I want to thank all our committee members, our supporting clubs, our many volunteers, and our participants."

For more information about the event, see http://www.pvtc.org/marathon.html or call 703-218-2726.