Lewes 5K supports Sussex County Habitat for Humanity
Enos Benbow of Georgetown captured the 20th annual Masser 5-Miler that left Cape high school and traveled down the Junction & Breakwater Trail along Gills Neck Road and returned by way of Kings Highway. Twelve states were represented in the event as 306 runners registered and 296 runners finished, establishing a new 20-year event record. Proceeds of the event went to support the Seashore Striders youth cross country program, which has attracted hundreds of kids for more than 20 years to the sport of running.
“The Masser is one of my favorite races in the area,” said Benbow. “The first half of the race has a country setting, while the second half of the race takes us through historic Lewes. People are so friendly cheering us on in Lewes.”
High schooler Dylan Varatto, 18, also of Georgetown, was second overall in 28:41, while 33-year old Matt Dunn of Trappe, Md., rounded out the top three in 28:52. Mike Sewell of Camden won the male masters in 29:37.
Twenty-eight-year-old Karen Ziga of Haverford, Pa., ran 31:28 to capture the female overall title in the race, while 52-year-old Cindy Conant of Kensington, Md., was second in 31:53. Conant owns several of the Masser 5-Miler age-group records and for the past eight years has either won the overall or the masters, which is an incredible statistic in the event. Bridget Danner of Rehoboth Beach rounded out the top three female runners in 22nd place with a time of 32:48.
Special thanks to the crew of emergency personnel that was set up to provide support for a safe course for the participants. Lewes Police Department, Delaware State Police, Lewes Fire Police, Sussex County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and Sussex County Paramedics did an outstanding job along the route.
Records fall in Masser 5-Miler
For the past 20 years, Dr. Lee Masser has been keeping track of the age-group records for his event, and the records have turned into a list of impressive performances with some outstanding names of the past and present. This year, several records in the higher age groups fell in the race, and it seems that as some people get older they also get faster. In the 65-69 age group, a new record was established as 67-year-old Tim Abbott of Georgetown crossed the line in 37:42 to shatter the record of 39:16 set in 1996 by the late Rex Enos. Jack Huxtable of Rehoboth set a new record of 41:58, well ahead of Ed Green, who held the record of 46:29 set in 2008. Green broke his own 80 & over record of 1:09:32 with a faster showing this year of 1:02:53. On the female side, it was 52-year-old Cindy Conant setting a new age group 50-54 mark, breaking her own record of 33:25 from 2011 with a new, faster standard of 31:53. Avery Cunningham of Annapolis, Md., won the 14-19 age group with a time of 33:14, breaking the record of 33:54 held by Melissa Hexter. In the 65-69 age group, it was JoAnn Szczepkowski establishing a new record, breaking her own with a time of 40:48, while Sharon Wright set a new record of 53:58 in the 70-74 age group.
Striders Championship Series
To become qualified for the Seashore Striders Championship Series, one must complete any five of the 11 series 5K events as well as one of the two series five-mile events. If you complete more than these six events, your best five 5Ks and your best 5-miler will be used for your final place within your age group, computations courtesy of Masser Systems Inc. Awards will be presented to the overall champions, the top five finishers in the following age categories: 9 & Under, 10-13, 14-19, 20-24, then five-year age groups through 100+, and to all series qualifiers. Special awards also will be presented to those who complete all 13 of the championship series races. Masser Systems Inc. will provide championship series awards. All finishers are automatically entered into the championship series. There is not an entry fee for the series.
Lewes 5K supports Sussex County Habitat for Humanity
According to the Sussex County Habitat website, since 1991, through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, the Georgetown affiliate has built 75 homes in Sussex County. One hundred eight adults and 204 children now occupy these homes.
The philosophy is simple: Habitat provides a hand up, not a handout. Families are selected on the basis of the need for housing, ability to pay a not-for-profit, no-interest mortgage, and their willingness to partner.
This Saturday morning, runners will come together at Irish Eyes in Lewes to participate in the Lewes 5K Run with the proceeds going to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with awards going to the top overall and masters finishers as well as the top three finishers in age groups from 9 & U to 80 & O. Race-day registration is set to begin at 6:15 a.m., when runners can register for a $25 entry fee. Support a great Sussex County organization this Saturday at a great establishment in Lewes called Irish Eyes.
Upcoming races
7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 1, Third Lewes 5K Run, Irish Eyes, Lewes.
7:30 a.m., Sunday, June 2, Rehoboth 5K Run, Wilmington Avenue and Boardwalk, Rehoboth.
7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 8, 10th DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star 5K Run, Irish Eyes, Lewes.
8 a.m., Sunday, June 9, Seventh Dewey Beach Liquors at the Cork 5K, Dewey Beach.
