Sunday Shamrock Shuffle sets record with 205 runners
The Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 15K took to the trails of Cape Henlopen State Park March 18 in Rehoboth Beach and hosted a record turnout of 205 participants. Ninety-seven runners took part in the 3.1-mile 5K race, while 108 took part in the 9.3-mile 15K event.
“The weekend weather was nice, and I think people are looking forward to getting out of the house and getting some exercise,” said Striders crew member Dave Mushrush. “St. Patrick's Day events are usually pretty popular in our area.”
Ryan Amsley, 28, of Rehoboth Beach captured the overall title at the 15K distance in a time of 54:46, averaging 5:52 per mile. “It feels good to finally win one,” said Amsley just after finishing the race. Enos Benbow, 30, of Georgetown was second in 54:56; while Matthew Cutrona, 41, of Wilmington was third overall and first masters in 56:54.
On the female side, tough racer Sarah Rusk, 31, finished 11th overall in 1:02:23 to average 6:41 per mile winning the female overall championship title. Second place went to Sarah Zephir-Thomason, 36, of Forest Hill, Md., who finished 16th in 1:06:57. Melanie Murray, 26, of Ocean View finished 18th in 1:09:09. Carole Rosasco, 52, of Arnold, Md., won the female masters title with a 20th-place finish in 1:09:44, averaging 7:28 per mile.
In the 5K event, Matt Keller, 34, ran away from the field in a time of 20:21, followed by Brandon Simms of Salisbury, Md., in 21:14. Dylan Stanley of Fruitland, Md., was less than a second behind in third with a time of 21:15. Young talented runner Chloe FauntLeRoy, 16, of Ocean Pines, Md., captured the female overall title in 21:54 followed by 30-34 champ Dawn Head of Lewes, who finished sixth in 22:26. Meryl Ludwig, 46, of Mt. Airy, Md., won the female masters in 23:03. Joydeep Haldar of Milton won the male masters in 22:49. Jack Vassalotti, racing for Team Nike, broke out the leprechaun outfit as he captured the best costume and ran 31:03 in the race.
The event went green this year with green printing on the T-shirt, green awards, green apples, green tea and even green water at the K & R water stop in Hawkseye.
Virginia Beach race results
Nine-year-old Blake Hundley of Bethany Beach and the Seashore Striders finished 91st overall and ran 32:06, a 6:27 mile pace, to win the 9 & under age group and lead 43 Delaware runners at the Townebank 8K in Virginia Beach, Va., last weekend. Dad Rick Hundley was 122nd in 33:33. Georgette O’Cone of Millsboro ran 49:04, while Mary Harmon of Dagsboro ran 49:26. Louise Holt of Milford ran 51:12, while Ronald Falke of Millville ran 53:36. Ed Hipps of Dagsboro ran 58:24.
At the Anthem Half-Marathon, Brett Cordrey of Lewes led the way for Delaware, running 1:34:17, while Rick Hundley of Bethany Beach doubled back to race a 1:35:11. Josh Simpson of Lewes ran 1:36:53, while Nick O’Cone of Millsboro ran 1:50:32. Aaron Culver of Dagsboro ran 1:51:16, while Mary Ann Sockriter of Rehoboth ran 1:59:43 and Lisa Wynn of Frankford ran 2:07:37. Kim Schwartz of Millsboro ran 2:11:35, while Laura Ritter of Rehoboth ran 2:12:21. Mary Harmon ran 2:15:14, while Mark Comolli of Bethany Beach ran 2:16:48. Dan Schultz of Lewes ran 2:16:59, while Georgette O’Cone ran 2:22:30. Chip Simpson of Lewes ran 2:27:58, while Louise Holt ran 2:32:43. Joanne Schultz of Lewes ran 2:56:43, while Regan Deck of Bethany Beach ran 3:21:47.
At the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, Kevin Smith of Lewes ran the fastest time for Delaware of 4:00:28, while Edel Drevno of Lewes ran 4:28:15. Roger Reed of Lewes ran 4:52:59.
Upcoming races
• 9 a.m., Saturday, March 31 - First Community Rocks! 5K, Big Fish, Rehoboth Beach.
• 10 a.m., Sunday, April 18 - April Fool's Day Prediction Challenge Run, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes.
• 8 a.m., Saturday, April 7 - First Bunny Palooza 5K/10K, Bethany Beach.
• 8 a.m., Sunday, April 15 - Third Seashore Classic Half Marathon & 5K, Irish Eyes, Lewes.
