Club 5K participants beat heat; race draws record number of entrants

Hundreds of participants in the National Press Club Beat the Deadline 5K endured hot, humid conditions on June 11, despite the race's 7:30 a.m. start time.

The event drew a record number of entrants -- more than 800 -- and likely will produce the highest fundraising total in six years for the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library.

But the cohort of runners and walkers was fewer than the total registered -- probably due to the warm temperature.

"It shows how tough you people are," former Club President Alan Bjerga told a post-race awards breakfast crowd in the ballroom. "Thanks for beating the heat and beating the deadline."

The top male finisher, Joey Wiegner (15:32), and the top female, Laura O'Hara (18:14), each will enjoy driving a Chevy Volt, GM's electric-car model, for one week thanks to a donation from Chevrolet. The top Club male finisher was Tim Homan (18:59). The top Club female was Jaqueline Lewandowski (22:04).

The fastest team overall and the fastest media team was Weiner Public News, with an average time of 16:39. A team comprised of formerly homeless men and women, Back on My Feet, finished fourth, with an average time of 23:28. Click here for complete race results from Amazing Race Timing.

CNN fielded the largest media team.

Tony Horton, creator of the P90X fitness program, and Suzanne Malveaux, CNN Newsroom anchor, served as race marshals.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Friedheim Library's training programs and journalism diversity scholarships.