Too hot to trot but just right for 5-mile race
The 35th annual Seashore 5-Miler held July 16, from Deauville Beach to the north and back again, may have been too hot to trot, but that only counts in harness racing. Human runners take precautions, like excessive hydration and light-colored clothing, but a little crazy is a good trait in a 5-mile race. Will racers run through warning signs and push the pain barrier beyond a sensible pace? Absolutely, and for the seldom-raced 5-mile distance, most are looking for a personal best because pain is temporary while the air-conditioned satisfaction lasts all day.
Thirteen men came into the chute before 17-year-old Emily Young from Camillus, N.Y., broke up the party and chicked the rest of the field in a time of 33:51. Young ran a 2:12 800 meters in the spring as a high school junior, and she’s on the radar of many colleges looking for track talent. She was chased to the finish line by Edann Brady, 36, who was four seconds behind at 33:55.
James Anderson, 19, from Burtonsville, Md., was the overall winner in 27:40, which is a 5:32 mile pace for five miles. Brian Petraco placed second in 28:36 followed by Martin Rodriguez in 29:39, Francisco Puac in 30:14, Joey Andrisani in 30:27, Mike Sewell in 30:51, Steven Eshelman in 31:01, Matt Cutrona in 31:07, Will Mockel in 32:01, Rob Santoni in 32:18, Moiber Rivera in 32:21, Tom Hanselman in 32:49 and Chris Stanley in 33:05.
Annie Harris from Atlanta, Ga., was the third woman in 36:31 followed by Meryle Ludwig in 36:42, Emily Previti in 37:06, Natalie Quigley in 37:20, Sara Schmidt in 38:36, Mardiny Ung in 38:49, Jackie Quigley in 39:44 and Charlotte Joannidas in 40:43.
Twelve states were represented in the field of 174 runners.
Rodriguez, 35, beaten the day before in the 5K by Puac, won the 35-39 age group in 29:30, good for fourth overall. Puac won the 30-34 age group in 30:14 and was fifth overall.
Rodriguez trains big miles while soccer player Puac, a novice to running, puts in few training miles. This friendly rivalry will get more interesting as the fall season approaches with longer runs.
Jules Woodall captured the men’s 65-69 in 43:10, while Mary Andrisani ran 49:50 to win the women’s race in that age group.
Former Caesar Rodney legendary wrestling coach Pete Basile, 70, won the 70-74 age group in 48:16.
Magic Jack Noel, 78, and Paul “Skip” Kiefer, 76, went 1-2 in the 75-79 male division, running 1:04:45 and 1:11:45, respectively, if not respectfully.
The next Seashore Striders race is the 20th annual Run for J.J. at 7:30 a.m., Sunday, July 23.
