U.S. Marine Claims Victory at Sold-Out Gender Defender 5K
Nearly 600 runners enjoy the VIP Finish Line experience at evening run on Quantico
Posted Monday, 27 August, 2012
QUANTICO, Va. - (Aug. 25, 2012) - On Saturday evening, Marine Corps 2nd Lt Nicholas Oltman, 24, of Fredericksburg, VA led 589 runners as top overall finisher at the pink- and blue-themed Gender Defender 5K, part of the MCM Event Series held aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. With a time of 17 minutes, Oltman edged out Troy Mitchell, 31, of Quantico, VA, who finished in 17:21, and Jason Van Horn, 38, who finished in 17:37. Oltman also was the top military finisher in the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon held on May 20.
Susanna Sullivan, 24, of Falls Church, VA topped all female participants over 3.1 mile course in 17:45. Jenny Ratzel, 27, of Washington, DC finished second at 20:35, while Sara Perez, 34, of Stafford, VA rounded out the top three women (20:43).
Martin Irwin, 42, of Donnegal, Ireland finished in 17:57, becoming the top Masters finisher (40 and older). Irwin, who decided to run the Gender Defender 5K while visiting the United States after a Google search of local races, was pleasantly surprised by his performance. "There were a couple of wee small hills, but it was nice," he said. "It was a personal best for me, so I'll take it."
Yuko Whitestone, 40, of Springfield, VA took the female Masters title, clocking 21:13.
In an event where female participants outnumbered their male counterparts two to one, the Gender Defender 5K treated all finishers to an upscale post-race experience including Barefoot wine, Mic Ultra, Jack Black men's products, pampering by W Salon among the many treats. Despite wet weather, spirited runners clad in celebrated pink and blue attire completed Gender Defender's 3.1-mile course that wound through the streets of Quantico. Kimberly Herbert, 45, and her husband, Dion, 50, of Fredericksburg, VA enjoyed participating in the themed event that celebrated running and all the things that men and women love.
"It was a lot of fun, and we encouraged each other," Kimberly Herbert said, embracing the spirit of the event.
The final event in the MCM Event Series is the Turkey Trot 10K on November 17. Registration is available at: www.marinemarathon.com
