Patrick Hager, runner and college coach, wins Race for Ribbon 5K
Patrick Hager, 30, ran cross country at Messiah College and has the perfect messiah-like beard, so it was no surprise that Hager, running in a shirt with a cross on the back, led from start to finish at the ninth annual Race for the Ribbon 5K July 16.
Messiah is a comeback story, all religions have one, but it’s never mentioned in liturgical writings that a messiah races for second place.
The race raises money for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. This year’s monies went to the family of Trevor Kramer, an Indian River junior who passed away this year after first being diagnosed with brain cancer at 7 years old.
Hager placed second in the 2012 Rehoboth Marathon - after all, he is human - and is currently the head cross country and track coach at Houghton College in New York. Hager is also a co-founder of Team S.W.I.F.T (Strength, Wisdom, Integrity, Faithfulness and Truthfulness), a racing team of Messiah alumni founded to give runners a chance to stay connected to their teammates after graduation and to glorify God with the blessing he has given in running. He is a really good guy who owns a personal best 2:35:54 in the marathon.
Chasing Hager to the finish line were Dickson Mercer in 16:35, Mike Sewell in 18:06, Mary Schneider in 18:16, Martin Rodriguez in 18:25 and Chris Stanley in 18:41.
Completing the run were 274 athletes with another 12 in the Clydesdale category and six Fillies.
Cindy Conant, 55, won the female masters in 19:55, while Mike Sewell took the men’s masters title in 18:08.
Liam Crotty, 7, of Lewes ran his first 5K in 41:04. He is the grandson of Dave and Linda Robinson.
Cape volleyball coach Tyler Coupe, 23, jumped in the race to support the cause and ran 28:31.
Ava Cannon, 52, snuck into the victory circle, winning her age group in 25:56 followed by Kathy Shook, 54, in 26:26.
Michael Kline, 50, brother of Stephanie Shuttleworth, won his age group in 22:21.
Margaret Colvin, 55, retired Cape teacher, won her age group in 23:48.
Rick Poppleton, 63, continued his dominance in the 60-64 age group, winning in 21:06.
Jack Huxtable, 78, the class of the 75-79 age group won easily in 27:24. Jack holds the age group record of 24:16, set in 2013.
The next Seashore Striders races are the July 22 5K Twilight Run and the July 24 Run for J.J. 5K.
