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Running

Masser 5-Miler kicks off 23rd annual Striders Racing Series

May 24, 2013

Dr. Lee Masser is the Doctor of Road Racing, showing up to nearly 100 races a year for the past 20 years decked out in his orange shorts usually with no shirt regardless of the weather. When people talk of the annual Seashore Striders Racing Series attracting hundreds of runners to the starting line each summer, they don’t get two sentences out without mentioning Doc Masser. Twenty years ago, we started the Masser 5-Miler at Cape Henlopen High School, and today it continues to be one of the favorite events of the year. This weekend’s event will be the third Seashore Striders event of the weekend as we begin with the Milton Mile Friday, May 24, in Milton beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the JWJ 5K in Bethany Beach on Saturday and the Masser on Sunday. Many people come to the Masser to support the youth program of the Seashore Striders, while more come to support Doc Masser and celebrate what he has done for the sport of running.

The event will open with race-day registration beginning at 6:30 a.m., followed by the start at 7:30 a.m. The loop course will circle the school before making its way to Gills Neck Road, Rodaline Avenue and Kings Highway, taking the field back to the school. Tech Ts, 5-year age groups from 9 & under to 80 & over, and a state championship for Clydesdale and Filly runners will highlight the morning.

To qualify for the Striders Summer Racing Series, one has to complete one of the two five-mile events and five of the 11 five-kilometer events throughout the summer. The Masser has become so popular in the series because it is so much cooler than the second five-miler held in July.

Masser course record holders

Throughout the last 20 years since the first set of results was posted, the Seashore Striders and Doc Masser have kept track of the course records in each age group in the event. The sets of records are very impressive throughout the years as the event has attracted some of the finest runners on the East Coast with times that are now very tough to beat. Here is a look at age-group winners, times and years: 9 & U: Evan Mock, 37:01, '97, & Bethany Pavlik, 40:10, '96; 10-13: Jake Bamforth, 32:40, '10 & Emily Forrey, 31:18, '06; 14-19: Donovan Anderson, 27:26, '96 & Melissa Hexler, 33:53, '09; 20-24: Matthew Demlein, 25:54, '99 & Cindy Price, 33:27, '96; 25-29: Michael Wardian, 26:53, '01 & Vicki Boyer, 30:25, '98; 30-34: Mike Monagle, 25:51, '04 & Kim Kruse-Langer, 33:17, '96;  35-39: Greg Cauller, 26:15, '97 & Bettina Haskell, 32:43, '96; 40-44: Mark Amway, 26:54, '05 & Cindy Conant, 32:27, '05; 45-49: Joe Link, 28:15, '97 & Cindy Conant, 32:42, '08; 50-54: Reuben Beauchamp, 28:23, '98 & Cindy Conant, 33:25, '11; 55-59: Reuben Beauchamp, 29:40, '02 & Kathy Wool, 39:54, '10; 60-64: Francisco Sanches, 33:56, '02 & Priscila Prunella, 38:59, '04; 65-69: Rex Enos, 39:16, '06 & Joann Szczepkowski, 40:58, '11; 70-74: Mike Bertolini, 39:14, '96 & Jamie Wollard, 56:26, '08; 75-79: Edward Green, 46:29, '08; 80 & O: Edward Green, 1:09:32, '12.

Wild Goose Chase

The first Wild Goose Chase 5K Run was held at Trap Pond State Park May 19 under cloudy skies and surrounded by miles of beautiful trails through the woods. A field of 150 turned out for the event in support of Christopher E. “Goose” Kay of Lewes, who passed away May 17, 2012. A large following from Southern Delaware Physical Therapy, CrossFit of Lewes and several softball girls in uniform turned out to show their support to the family and to “Goose.”

“The race was well organized, a great course, and a lot of fun,” said organizer Karen Willey.

Ben Bamforth of Lewes, 14, won the overall male title in a time of 19:23, while his mom, Monique Bamforth, won the overall female title in a time of 24:43 in 15th place. Christopher Stanley of Fruitland, Md., captured the male masters in 19:32, while Renee Crossman of Glen Mills, Pa., won the female masters in 25:02.

Steve Peet of the Seashore Striders finished eighth in 21:33 to win the 20-29 male age group, while sister-in-law Allison Peet won the 30-39 age group in 26:31.  Jared Kay won the 10-13 age group in 24:20, while Colin Kay won the 9 & under in 24:48. Erin Kay was third in the 10-13 age group in 33:38. Kathy Kay is coming off knee surgery, so no running or walking was in store for her, but she did speak some kind thank you words to the crowd at the start of the event. A tough family, a tough day to get through, and a great tribute to “Goose.”

Upcoming races

Second Milton Mile, 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 24, Milton Wesleyan Church, Milton.

20th Masser 5-Miler, 7:30 a.m., Sunday, May 26, Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes.

11th Highway One Pictures 5K at the Rusty Rudder, 8 a.m., Monday, May 27, Dewey Beach, races2run.com.

Third Lewes 5K Run, 7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 1, Irish Eyes, Lewes.

Rehoboth 5K Run, 7:30 a.m., Sunday, June 2, Wilmington Avenue & Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach.

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