Headlamps and knuckle lights: sundown runners race into darkness

The Day After 5K (solstice and end of world) sponsored by the Seashore Striders set off from the Biden Center at 5 p.m., Dec. 22 as 106 runners wearing headlamps and knuckle lights were chased into the heart of darkness by chilly gale-force winds.

Ronald Shalks, 53, of New Hampshire took the point early like a Canadian honker and was first to the finish in a time of 19:07, an amazing time to run over unfamiliar trail terrain where you can’t see your own feet.

An oddity, three young runners named Dylan were in the top 10 including Dylan Varrato,18,19:48; Dylan Chan, 16, 22.34; and Dylan Stanley, 16, 22:36.

Ali Coning, former Cape start now a freshman at Towson, was the first female in 22:07.

There were lots of family combinations embedded in the race, proving a genetic link to zany endeavors.

A complete list of results can be found at www.seashorestiders.com.