If you have been paying attention lately to the local running scene you will have noticed one name has been consistently at the head of the field: Matt Fortin. Starting with the John Wall Mile last July, which he won in a time of 4:40, he has swept every race in the Annapolis Striders' race series, finished second in the Annapolis 10-Miler, and was named the Striders' Runner of the Year.

On March 1, he swept to victory in the B&A Trail Half Marathon. Signs that some of his best races are in front of him are his age, 25, and his 27-second improvement at the Valentine's 5K race from 2008 to 2009. That victory on Feb. 14 lowered...