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Hair of the Dog races welcome 2017 in Bethany Beach

Runners stride while their dogs politely prance
January 5, 2017

The Hair of the Dog 10K and 5K races held New Year’s Day in balmy Bethany Beach ironically begin on Garfield Parkway and reward dogs for running.

A total of 98 runners elected the longer 10K distance, which started 75 minutes earlier than the 5K. Matt DeBlander, 28, from Duboistown, Pa., “walked the dog” on the 10K field, winning in 36:22. The top five overall including Matt were Walt Zeller in 39:59, Brian Swift in 41:32, Reza Mahbod in 42:20 and Phillip Nelson in 43:23.

Paige Bell, 34, from Frederick, Md., was atop the women’s leaderboard and sixth overall with a time of 43:53. Jamie Holmes, Kerry Taylor, Jessalyn Nelson and Pamela Jock completed the top five on the women’s leaderboard.

The majority of runners in the 10K race were from Maryland, while Delaware runners were from south of the Indian River Inlet bridge.

The lazy lounging lap dogs of the western world totaling 418 strong hit the starting line for the running of the 5K, with 250 running above a 10-minute pace and about 50 running with their dogs ... or somebody’s dog.

John Duba, 42, from Herndon, Va., was the overall winner in 19:08. He was followed by Aldan Campbell in 19:49, Teddy Joseph in 19:49,  Michael Sipics in 19:53 and Brian Swift in 20:13.

The top five women were Rebecca Fox, 33, from Cambridge, Mass., in 22:21, Pam Sane in 22:30, Jenn Ford in 23:11, Tracy MacCherola in 23:40 and Angela Gentile in 23:57.

Jack Vassalotti, 65, ran with his ears on, and he is the early 2017 lead dog for the King of the Costumes award. In 2016, there was no one in second place, as the Bishop of Tutus ruled the roost.

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