Valentine’s Chase 5K brings out 130 runners

The Ninth Valentine's 5K Chase and 1M Walk was held Feb. 15 under rainy and cold conditions at Cape Henlopen State Park with a surprise field of 130 showing up to race through the 3.1-mile out & back course. From the fishing pier, Strider Dave Mushrush drove the lead golf cart with the field in chase to the top of the lookout dune and the Striders turnaround. From the start, it was former Milford standout Carl Richardson, 19, leading the way and not looking back as he breezed through the course, easily taking the victory in 16:55.

On the female side, early leaders were equally dominant as Sara Ellis of Newark and Trish Hredzak-Showalter of Rehoboth led the way, running fairly close in the field. It was the 29-year-old Ellis taking the victory in a time of 19:38 for third overall, while Showalter, 30, was a solid second and sixth overall with a time of 20:01. Interesting to note that Showalter’s chip time was only seconds off the win at 19:40, to an Ellis chip of 19:35. What that means is that both female racers ran about the same pace, however Ellis lined up in the front, taking three seconds to cross the start and Showalter in the rear taking 21 seconds to cross the start. Awards are based on gun time with an event of this size.

Chris Stanley of Fruitland, Md., finished second and captured the masters title in 19:32, while Helen Morrow of Millsboro won the female masters title in 22:38.

Good to see the Albrecht family all the way from Glen Burnie, Md., as Julie, 34, led the way with a 23:08 for third in the 30-39 age group, while three sons and dad brought up the end of the race.  Seven-year-old Brayden won the 9 & U with a 51:21; Nick, 12, was second in the 10-13 age group with a 52:48; Matthew, 36, was eighth in the 30-39 age group in 52:52; and Zane, 4, was second in the 9 & U group with a 52:54.

Finish chute - Special thanks to race co-directors Enos Benbow and Rick Hundley, who filled in for me as I was lost on “the strip” in Las Vegas looking for just one more smoothie/oxygen bar. There were many Striders volunteers who helped out on Saturday, and it is nice to see people come out and lend a hand. Thank you again.

State Rap

The 2014 version of the Delaware Indoor State Championships will be held in Maryland this year, and yes, I am telling the truth. The meet will be held this Friday, Feb. 21, at the Prince George’s County Sports Complex in Landover, Md. The field events and running events both begin at 3 p.m.

The best hope for a state championship on the Cape girls' side is Megan Hart in the high jump, where she is seeded first with a jump of 5-feet-2-inches, while talented Raven Luckett of Smyrna is close behind at 5-0. I did some research trying to find another state in the U.S. that holds its high school state meet in another state, and I could not find one. Sounds like the Delaware shakers and bakers need to pull together and build an indoor facility so Delaware athletes can be proud to win state titles on Delaware soil.

Upcoming Races

Sunday, March 9 - 4th Get Pumped for Pets 5K/10K, Kent Island, Md., seashorestriders.com.

Sunday, March 9 - 2nd The Lucky Leprechaun 5K, Milton, races2run.com.

Saturday, March 15 - 7th St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run, Denton, Md., seashorestriders.com.

Sunday, March 16 - 8th St. Paddy’s Day Shamrock Shuffle, 15K/5K, Rehoboth Beach, seashorestriders.com.

Saturday, March 23 - Inaugural C.F.E. Rescue 5K Run, Trap Pond State Park, Laurel, seashorestriders.com.

Saturday, March 29 - Inaugural I.R.X.C. 5K Run, IRHS, Dagsboro, seashorestriders.com.