Surfin’ Snowman 5-Miler and Santa’s Helper 2-Miler a polar express

The Surfin’ Snowman 5-Miler held Dec. 30 was bone-rattling cold – at least the winds were calm – for the 230 runners who frozen-toed the line for the 4 p.m. start.

Will Rehrig, 24, destroyed a fast field with a smile on his face, posting a 25:40 time to win. Joining Will on the sub 6-minute pace leaderboard were Jeff Young, 26, in 27:02; Joey Andrisani, 35, in 27:45; Matt Dennis, 32, in 28:34; Rob Rehrig, 28, in 28:36; and D.J. Farren, 15, in 28:53.

Emily Ritter won the women’s race and placed eighth overall in a time of 30:20. Ritter was joined at the top of the leaderboard by Cindy Conant in 31:38, Michelle Calvert in 34:43, Susan Dunn in 35:16 and Kelly Tingle in 35:43.

The top 5 for the Santa’s Helper 2-mile run/walk were Madison Gaffney in 17:57, Jonathan Stebenne in 18:02, Wib Beachy in 18:34, Ryan Allen in 18:41 and Nick Reith in 19:27.

Paul Montini, a 50-year-old Philly guy, held off Cindy Conant, the 56-year-old running nanny from Kensington, Md., 31:37 to 31:38, as they sprinted north on the Bethany Boardwalk.   

In a twilight zone replay, Montini held off Conant the next day in the Race Into the New Year 5K, sprinting south on the Rehoboth Boardwalk and crossing the finish line in 19:54 for fifth place with Conant in sixth at 20:04.

“Two straight races she was chasing me,” Montini said with a smile on his face. The smile left when it was suggested Montini should have backed off and relinquished his position. “I’m sure I’ll be dealing with her all summer,” he said. “She is unrelenting.”

The Salisbury-based group Athletes Serving Athletes had double-digit participants in the race, and, as always, were an inspiration to everyone.