Pumpkin Pie 5K popping like a Thanksgiving turkey
Pumpkin pie and banana nubs the Saturday after Thanksgiving were motivation enough for 620 runners to show up in Rehoboth Nov. 30 for a five-kilometer run in frigid conditions.
“There were a lot of first-time runners, many entire families that come to the beach for Thanksgiving and just jump in the race because it’s fun," said race director Tim Bamforth. “One family said they wanted to move to Rehoboth, describing it as a running mecca."
Dan Swain, 22, a recent graduate of Saint Mary’s College, cruised to an easy victory in a time of 16:13. Swain works outside Philadelphia (a math guy dealing with actuaries) and trains with the Bryn Mawr Running Company.
“I ran cross country in high school at Calvert Hall, nothing special, 17:30, then at Saint Mary’s I learned how to train, going 70 miles a week and two days on the track doing mile repeats in like 5:15 with 30 seconds rest in between," Swain said.
Austin MacElrevey, 18, was second in the race in 17:14 followed by Ted Wasserman, 17:28; Chris Monheim, 17:31; and Matt Dunn, 17:45.
“I just recently finished the Florida Ironman,” Dunn said. "I’m training under Kevin Danahy and doing well. I’ve been running Striders races since 1999 when I graduated from Easton High School.“
Alyssa Pietrobono, 24, of Newark was the first woman to finish, in 20:28. Rounding out the top five for women were Sarah Richards, 20:30; Meryl Ludwig, 20:44; Caitlin Dimondi, 20:45; and Margarita Brose, 20:46.
Some outstanding male age-group performances by local runners included Luke Burton, 9 and under, 21:40; Brock Diaz, 10-13, 21:22; Anthony Romano, 25-29, 19:03; Antonio Bowe, 40-44, 20:32; Thomas Toner, 60-64, 25:15; Hal Carrier, 70-74, 29:51; Jack Huxtable, 75-79, 26:11; and Jimbo Lyons, 80 and over, 42:41 and Alberto Castillo, 44:12.
Additional outstanding age-group performances by women were 9 and under Brooke Jones, 23:52; Lainey Shockro, 24:42; and Natalie Guida, 25:52; 10-13, Helena Helou, 21:02; and Emma Barthelmess, 21:28; 14-19, Gina Voss, 30:45; 20-24, Kara Voss, 32:37; 40-44, Monique Bamforth, 23:55; and Heidi Helou, 27:15; 45-49, Linda Schwartz-Chi, 24:20; 50-54, Andi Pedigo, 24:11; 65-69, Joann Szczepkowski, 23:51; and 75-79, Stella Castillo, 1:09.20.
The Rehoboth Marathon is next on tap this Saturday, Dec, 7. Those who are not registered can make like Donnie Brasco and “Fuggetaboutit." About 2,000 runners will compete in the half and full marathons.
