While some 24,000 runners were enduring the National Marathon and Half Marathon in Washington, I was 65 miles away leisurely taking on a 5K at the Virginia State Arboretum.

Blossoms were just starting to emerge on some of the trees at the arboretum in Clarke County near Boyce. I’m guessing it is a very beautiful place when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom.

The relatively flat run on gravel and paved roads went by fields and various farming experiments. The arboretum is part of Blandy Experimental Farm, a 700-acre research center for the University of Virginia. Graham F. Blandy, a New Yorker, got rich playing the stock market. He bought land in the area in 1905 and willed the farm to U.Va. in 1926.

About 100 people participated in the 5K Leprechaun Leap Race, held on St. Patrick’s Day. It raised funds for the Mountain Vista Governor’s School. The mission of the 115-student school is to provide a research-based, technology-enhanced, integrated program in Mathematics, Science and the Humanities.

After the run, I did go into Washington to see the cherry blossoms. To see those pictures, taken with a Lytro camera, go to my Lytro page.

12 runs down, 122 to go.

View Boyce in a larger map

Sunrise

I got there early hoping to snag a t-shirt in my size even though I didn't preregister. No dice.

Quarters & Dogwoods

The Quarters (to the right) building was built in 1820s. It was used as slave quarters.

Milling Around Before the Start

More Milling

And We're Off

Through the Fields I

Through the Fields II

Through the Fields III

Down the Hill

Farm

Cows

Gravel Road

Not one of my favorite surfaces...

Ultralights

Three ultalight planes circled the area a couple of times.

Daffodils I

Daffodils II

Cherry Tree

The is a Higan Cherry -- a member of the Rose family, so says the sign on it.

Walkingstick

This plant is called Harry Lauder's Walkingstick. It is really cool on my Lytro page.

Pine Cones

I forgot to find out what kind.