Runners remember Betty Gooch at Dolphin Dash

Last Friday evening at Shields Elementary School, a group of 100 5K runners and walkers and another 150 students from grades K-5 gathered to run, walk, tell stories and remember Betty Gooch. Gooch was a longtime teacher in Milton and Lewes who lost her battle with cancer in June 2012. At the time of her passing, she was the computer teacher at Shields Elementary School in Lewes.

Young students were grouped by grade level for a series of 400-yard dashes called the Dolphin Dashes. At the finish students received a medal from principal Jenny Nauman and a free treat from Rita’s, which served the participants on site.

Following the dashes, the 5K run and walk lined up. Young Blake Hundley, 11, of Bethany Beach, won the overall male title in 17:51.0, as he was paced by elite runner Enos Benbow, 31, who was second in 17:51.5. Strider assistant coach Dan MacElrevey, 45, of Lewes, was third and first masters runner in 18:14.

On the female side of the 5K, 13-year-old Logan Shuttleworth of Lewes won the overall title for the sixth year in a row with a time of 21:37 for the 5,000-meter course. Ten-year-old Emma Barthelmess of Bethany Beach was second in a time of 23:29, while Lindsay Rambo of Lewes was third in 24:54. Strider mom Liz Guida of Lewes won the female masters in 27:43.

Middle school cross country wrap

The first Cape district middle school cross country race was held in the rain Oct. 9 at the College of Marine Studies. Cape graduates Kenny Riedel coached the Milton team and Paul Ecker coached the Beacon team. Beacon won when combining the boys' and girls' races together 26-29, while Mariner took the boys' 23-35 and Beacon took the girls' 18-43. The athletes raced on a 1.75-mile course.

Results: 1. Logan Shuttleworth, Bea, 11:36; 2. Gabe Bailey, Bea, 12:44; 3. Bryan Ciabbatoni, Mar, 12:55; 4. Kyle Cope, Mar, 13:13; 5. Collin Nauman, Mar, 13:23; 6.Olivia Brozefsky, Bea, 13:28; 7.Dainel Brown, Bea, 13:37; 8. Freddie Eley, Mar, 13:45; 9. Yesemie Ramirez, Mar, 14:04; 10. Mike Cerchio, Bea, 14:12; 11. Barcin Akgunduz, Bea, 14:15; 12. Parker Brown, Mar, 14:36; 13. Logan Dominick, Mar, 15:19; 14. Sam Wyatt, Bea, 16:26; 15. Jordan McNair, Mar, 17:41; 16. Katherine Wolfe, Bea, 17:42; 17. Hailey Hesson, Bea, 17:47; 18. Mason Merwitz, Mar, 18:08; 19. Molly Martiner, Bea, 20:00; 20. Felix Cruz Harmon, Bea, 21:20.

Howard County Invite

The Strider Cross Country Team traveled to Ellicott City, Md., Oct. 6 and competed with 450 young runners from around the region in the Howard County Invite held at Centennial High School. The air temperature was above the norm for runners to be racing and borderline dangerous. The courses ranged from 1K for the 8 & under to a 4K for the 13-14 age group, with long, gradual and short, steep hills along the course making it semi-challenging for the athletes.

Lainy Shockro got the Striders going early as she led the first mile of the 2K girls' race; however she did not finish due to the heat. Devin Hundley did finish 10th overall in 9:54 for the 1.24-mile course. In the 9-10 3K race, Ethan Shuttleworth was 34th in 15:54, while in the girls' race Brooke Jones finished 18th in 16:29. In the 11-12 3K race, Blake Hundley ran the race of the day as he pushed two-time national champ Tamrat Snyder of Lightning stride-for-stride over 1.86 miles, eventually finishing second by three seconds in 10:53. Brock Diaz was 14th in 12:45. In the girls' race Emma Barthelmess was 15th in 14:37, while Emily Lamb was 20th in 15:21. The final race of the day over the 4000-meter course for 13-14-year-olds saw Strider Logan Shuttleworth take over the lead just before the mile and pull away on every hill for the 33-second win in 16:54.

Sussex Tech girls racing at next level

Five Sussex Tech girls who have graduated in the past two years are currently running college cross country. Bethany Killmon is at Misericordia University, where she recently ran at the Lock Haven Invite finishing the 6K course in 23:20 (19:27 5K split) to lead her team. Emily Ritter, Rider University, led her team early in the season running 19:02 for 5K at a tough Van Courtlandt Park in New York. Ritter, who ran under 4:50 in the mile last spring, is currently nursing an injury and hopes to return by the end of the month. Isabel Wharton is running for Indiana Wesleyan University, where she led her team at the Greater Louisville Classic in Louisville, Ky., running 19:37 for the 5K course. Amanda Sava is racing in the sixth spot for Florida Tech and recently ran 23:16 for the 5K. Chelsea LeCates is listed on the University of Delaware roster.

Upcoming races

9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, Raven Classic 5K Run/Walk, Sussex Tech High School, Georgetown, www.seashorestriders.com.

9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, Stephanie L. Callaway Memorial “Gigglemedic” 5K, Irish Eyes, Lewes, www.races2run.com.

9 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 27, 24th Sea Witch Fall Classic 5K Run/Walk, Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com.