Dogfish Dash 8K takes to streets of Milton with 2,000 runners

The registration for the 2016 Dogfish Dash 8K opened April 23 at noon and hit the limit of 2,530 entrants eight minutes after it opened. No matter your network or who you know, you don’t get accepted if you miss the cutoff.

The 8K race, roughly five miles for the metrically challenged, saw 2,120 runners and several dogs finish, not sure if others ran back home or more likely never showed and just wanted the T-shirt.

“It’s not really a fast race for the size of it, it’s more of a festival or a big party,” said Race Director Tim Bamforth.

Indeed, the Dogfish brand is on display with runners in creative costumes or groups rocking a theme inspired by Dogfish Head craft beer.

Dr. Jeff Powers, 33, with a PhD in physicals, won the overall race for the second year in a row in a time of 26:21, a 5:18 mile pace.

“I was a soccer player in high school and college at VCU and didn’t start running until I was an adult,” Powers said. “I’m employed by Temple University Medical Division, mostly running a research lab. I live in nearby Roxborough and do a lot of training on hills.”

Emily Ritter, the former Rider runner and NCAA Steeplechaser, was the first woman and fifth overall in 28:36, a 5:45 mile pace.

Greg Collier, 56, from York, Pa., was male masters champion in 29:34. Heather Leiggi, 40, from Milton won the women’s masters title in 32:46.

A total of 1,075 runners ran a 10-minute pace or slower, many of them costumed up or simply enjoying the local scenery on a beautiful Sunday morning jaunt through the street of historic Milton.

An expanded story and photos will appear in the Friday, Sept. 30 edition of the Cape Gazette.

Expanded race results can be found at seashorestriders.com.