Tysons Store

Hometown: Hutchinson, MN

Running Experience and Accomplishments: Vergil ran his first 5K at age 25. In 2006, he competed at Ironman Hawaii. and it was an experience of a lifetime! In 2007, he qualified for XTERRA nationals and fell in love with the mountain bike. Since then, he has done a handful of races (including MCM in 2008 with his dad) and continues to train "just in case something comes up."

Favorite....piece of advice: There is no such thing as a fake runner. If you run, no matter at what capacity, that makes you a runner!

Hometown: Hyattsville, MD

Running Experience and Accomplishments: Darrell was the youngest qualifier for the US Olympic Trials for the marathon in 1988, and has qualified a record five times for the Trials. Darrell is a three-time Army Ten miler winner, two-time Marine Corps Marathon winner, and has run seventeen sub 2:20 marathons. Darrell shares his knowledge as a high school coach, and has been coaching high school Cross Country/Track for 22 years.

Favorite....quote: "You have to believe to achieve."

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Running Experience and Accomplishments: Chris has been running for 38 years. Although he participates in several other sports, by far running is his favorite. He has been able to average 30+ miles a week since he started, and comments, "It's funny but running just keeps getting better each year .. my last marathon 3:42:30 and it was a PR for me."

Favorite....piece of marathon advice: "Start slow and finish strong. Remember, the wind is your friend."

Hometown: Cold Spring, NY

Running Experience and Accomplishments: A middle distance specialist at Union College, Casey has been training for and running half marathons and marathons since graduating from college. She's demonstrated her versatility by taking her leg speed (she was a member of the ECAC champion 4x800M team while in college) and applying it at the end of events a bit longer…. including qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Favorite....lesson learned running: "While running a local 8K, I was stung by a yellow jacket in the forehead with 50 meters left. I crossed the finish line crying in pain. The next morning, which was the day I had to attend a large family party, I woke up with my eyes swollen shut and my face beet red. People always ask 'what did you learn' from that?' I learned from that race that I am allergic to yellow jackets.

Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD

Running Experience and Accomplishments: Dan follows a long line of swimmers who find they have talent on dry land as well…. A scholarship athlete at Missouri State and US Swimming Olympic Trials qualifier, Dan has moved to the roads, recently completing the Army 10-Miler, Marine Corps Marathon, and, not surprising, the Nation's Triathlon. He's currently focusing on triathlon.

Favorite....race: Marine Corps - a great event for new marathoners, "I negative split by 11 minutes because (at the time) I had no idea where to start or how to run a marathon!"