Above runners face the color guard as the singing of the anthem is performed.

The Travis Manion Foundation sponsors more than thirty-five races nationwide starting on September 11th. This year the last of the events took place in Shirlington, VA on the 29th of September on a crisp fall morning. The race drew more than five hundred entrants beginning with a fun run after the colors had been presented and the national anthem had been sung. In this country we honor the men and women who bravely served our country. We do not chose to fight but we do not back down when it must be done. Ray was there with is flag which he hands off to allow different runners to carry across the finish line.

Among the top runners Joseph Kelly was touted as the prohibitive favorite. "He can run in the 15:00s, they said." He did not need to and climbed back up the final hill in a solid 17:13. He well clear of runner-up Bradley Revenis who was one of his four teammates on the Tracky Teusday team, all of whom finished in the top seven. Eighth place Michael Forson was the top master in 19:35. Jack Kamerer (left) was the top grandmaster in 20:17. Among the most prolific racers Mike Cannon was running his 38th race of the year. Other members of the 50 Plus Club included Tim Ramsey with 24. Cannon is on pace for his sixth year racing fifty times. Ramsey has eight consecutive years.

Not too far behind Sarah Manders, 34, of Arlington, VA (right) arrived as the first women. Not far behind her Emily Blagg out battled Erika Miller for the runner-up spot 21:23 to 21:29. The fifth woman, Nancy Isla, 51, was the top master.

Below runners start down the hill as the race begins.