Jared Tootell captures YMCA 5 Miler

Jared Tootell, a soccer guy turned triathlete, clicked off five miles at a 5:41 pace to win the 31st YMCA 5 Miler July 21 in a time of 28:23. One hundred and eighty-nine runners completed the course. Jared’s winning time was the fastest in five years since Enos Benbow ran 27:25 in 2008.

Benbow, 32, the Georgetown Jamaican, was second in 28:45 followed by Dan Neiswender, 17, in 28:47.

Mike Sewell, 44, won the masters race in a time of 30:30.

Joanna Baird, 20, of Timonium, Md., was the first woman, running 33:16 and followed by Beck Deweese, 25, in 35:22.

Meryl Ludwig, 47, won the women's masters race in 36:03.

Race conditions were crazy, hot and humid but all runners finished the course undaunted, unscathed and unfazed

"People are pretty smart about drinking water and taking care of themselves," said race director Tim Bamforth. "But running five miles in this kind of weather is tough on everyone."

Some notable male performances included Tim Ennis, 7, in a time of 44:49. John Best, 12, ran 36:36; Sonny Acosta, 35, 32:47; Breck Vanderwende, 40, 34:32, Larry Windsor, 61, 36:53; Tim Abbott, 38:21; Doug White, 70, 41:41; and Courtney Riordan, 76, 42:23.

Female performances of note included Helena Helou, 11, in 41:28; Nicole Vadsilis, 20, 37:40; Stacy Black, 34, 36:31; Kim Tootell, 35, 40:35; Mardiny Ung, 46, 37:42; and Joan Scezepkowski, 67, 39:52.