By George Banker
June 15, 2024, Fort Station Park, Southeast Washington, DC—This was the start of the 5th Juneteenth Half-Marathon and 10K. The event is rich in history from the purpose to the historic race route, which is the secret in Washington. The course includes sections that are not entirely over paved roads, making it a challenging trail run. The event is for the athletes to test their skills and to enjoy the camaraderie of the other athletes. You should not miss this experience.
The inaugural “Juneteenth Marathon” was held June 13, 2020, when members of the DC and Baltimore running communities honored the Juneteenth holiday by collectively organizing the running event. Starting at the Natural Museum of African American History & Culture, marathoners ran the bounds of all four DC quadrants per L’Enfant’s 1791 plan for the ‘City of Washington,’ finishing 26.2 miles later at the foot of “Cedar Hill,” Frederick Douglass’ home in Anacostia. In keeping with Juneteenth tradition, a red-themed Juneteenth celebration cookout was held thereafter. In 2021 the organizers changed the distance to a half-marathon and 10K.
The purpose is for the celebration of Juneteenth. Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. This announcement came over two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, highlighting the challenges and delays in ensuring freedom for all.
According to the National Park Service, “Fort Stanton was constructed in September 1861 to defend the Navy Yard. The fort was situated at the center of the Eastern Branch Line (Anacostia River) and was one of the larger earthworks in this sector of the Defenses of Washington. Fort Stanton had a perimeter of 322 yards and mounted 18 artillery pieces. The garrison consisted of 483 artillerymen and infantry. Fort Stanton was named in honor of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.
Returning to defend his 2023 win (1:45:52) was Babadamilola Alao and runner-up Xavier McFadden (1:46:58). The fifth-place finisher, David Kadis (1:48:35). The women’s field included the 2023 sixth place Elizabeth Ferry (2:02:44) and the ninth place Grace Thompson (2:25:37).
The race started and finished uphill, which would test all the runners. The trail system connects the Civil War Defenses of Washington (Fort Mahan, Fort Chaplin, Fort Dupont, Fort Davis, Battery Ricketts, Fort Stanton). This is an event which you must experience as a description does not do it justice.
The event organizers, Fred Irby, Kota, and Joey Frye extend thanks to the sponsors and volunteers. The race hosted 381 total finishers (182 in the half-marathon and 199 in the 10K).
Narrator Michanda Myles on the 2024 Juneteenth Half Marathon and 10K Kickoff See it here
Fox 5 News (Fox5dc.com) coverage
5th Juneteenth Half-Marathon & 10K
Fort Stanton Park, Washington, DC
10K Top Men
Plc Name Age Time City/State
1 Tommie Runz 39 44:43 Novi, MI
2 Tyler Kameh 29 47:16 Washington, DC
3 Davon Singletary 36 48:50 Baltimore, MD
4 Brian Levine 39 49:02 Chevy Chase, MD
5 Patrick McHenry 40 49:54 Washington, DC
6 Daniel Carlin-Weber 36 55:43 Baltimore, MD
7 Juan Lucas 39 56:22 Baltimore, MD
8 Antjuan Walker 30 59:58 Baltimore, MD
9 Patrick Marlow 23 1:04:37 Arlington, VA
10 Zachary Cook 32 1:05:38 Florence, KY
Master
Patrick McHenry 40 49:54 Washington, DC
Jacob Fenston 44 1:05:07 Washington, DC
Will Handsfield 43 1:12:58 Washington, DC
Eric Burton 49 1:14:39 Herndon, VA
Benjamin Gilbert 49 1:14:55 Washington, DC
Top 10K Women
Edie Wilson 32 55:17 Washington, DC
Erin Ross 23 59:00 Washington, DC
Abigail Melaku 18 59:16 Potomac, MD
Kate Malone 38 59:55 Washington, DC
Jenna Kruse 36 1:00:52 Chevy Chase, MD
Cara Hill 30 1:02:08 Washington, DC
Stefanie Evans 33 1:02:21 Washington, DC
Megan Harmon 33 1:07:04 Washington, DC
Laura Francia 36 1:07:16 Silver Spring, MD
Gabrielle Odom 26 1:10:58 Arlington, VA
Master
Amenate Iberahme 55 1:31:49 Reston, VA
Sarah Mosbacher 41 1:18:55 Washington, DC
Rebecca Schendel Norris 42 1:24:46 Washington, DC
Michele Burbank 55 1:25:38 Washington, DC
Gun Time Order
Half-Marathon Top Men
1 Parker Marshall 26 1:37:06 Washington, DC
2 Babadamilola Alao 26 1:38:38 Arlington, VA
4 Will Chaplow 32 1:44:08 Washington, DC
5 Xavier McFadden 29 1:45:20 Laurel, MD
6 Matt Donnally 38 1:45:42 Washington, DC
7 Aidan Hennessey 29 1:45:57 Silver Spring, MD
8 Ramsey Fahs 28 1:45:57 Washington, DC
9 Joshua Little 35 1:46:02 Washington, DC
10 David Kadis 39 1:46:35 Baltimore, MD
Master
Tatsuhiko Osada 41 1:53:56 Washington, DC
Sean Stebbins 41 1:54:08 Washington, DC
Andrew Wyatt 46 1:54:40 Brandywine, MD
Paul Cutler 56 1:59:54 Washington, DC
Mohammed Abdalah 45 2:01:02 Washington, DC
Half Marathon Top Women
1 Elise Mullenniex 30 1:54:44 Arlington, VA
2 Sofia Martinez 27 1:54:56
3 Sarah Babbage 36 1:55:34 Washington, DC
4 Rachel Field 24 2:00:08 Baltimore, MD
5 Elizabeth Farry 33 2:03:56 Washington, DC
6 Holly Chase 40 2:04:55
7 Elizabeth Rivera 37 2:09:30 Washington, DC
8 Jamie Wallisch 29 2:09:54 Washington, DC
9 Syreeta Fields 38 2:09:57
10 Corine Hall 24 2:10:03 Bethesda, MD
Master
6 Holly Chase 40 2:04:55
Grace Thompson 40 2:24:39 Washington, DC
Sue Heineman 58 2:26:06 Washington, DC
Mary Beth Nebel 44 2:28:41 Baltimore, MD
Christine Compton 41 2:35:55 Baltimore, MD
Categories: Race Coverage
Runner's Gazette 
Congratulations to all, especially Erin Ross and Joshua Little.
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