Cape runners sweep top four at Shamrock Shuffle 5K
The Lucky Leprechaun 5K was held in Milton March 8, bringing out the second-highest field ever with 656 participants. The top four finishers’ combined age only added up to 67 years. All four are from the Cape state championship cross country team. Riley Stazzone and Jason Baker led the way, cruising across the line in a time of 17:03, while Nick Petito was third in 17:19 and Brayden Redd was fourth in 17:20. Tim Pagano, a 40-year-old masters runner from Lewes, rounded out the top five in 17:27.
Katie Macklin of Dover, a 43-year-old masters runner, won the women’s overall championship in 17:34, a new course record. Her time was good for sixth place overall. Aimee Morgan of Magnolia was second and the top masters runner in 20:55, while 40-year-old Melissa Wiley of Ocean City, Md., was third in 21:13. Jamie Hicks, 48, of Milford was fourth in 22:00, while Jessica Melson, 27, rounded out the top five in 22:47. When looking at the female top five, the top four runners were over 40 years old, which is pretty impressive.
Some highlights include Matt Lindell, the 45-year-old coach of the Cape cross country team, who ran out of retirement to post a time of 23:51 and average 7:41 per mile. Winning the female 50-59 age group in 26:13 was Rehoboth Beach runner Maureen “Pookie” Pinkerton. Morgan Ellis, who I had as a first-grader at Shields, is now 42 and finished 10th in his age group, running 29:53. Morgan is the son of Ann Ellis Simpler, former Miss Delaware and Shields first-grade teacher. Jerome Harris Sr., a standout Henlopen Conference hurdler from Lake Forest back in the ’80s, ran 30:46. Allison Ortiz jogged to a time of 30:55 and is back out for spring track. Joe Aukward, 65, is legally blind and was guided by his friend from school, Tim Holton. They crossed the finish in 34:31. Mike Firch of Milford, a well-known Sussex Tech counselor, ran 34:56. Jack is back! Jack Vassalotti is the most festive runner regardless of the race or season. He ran 36:56. Milton’s Allen Jackson, 57, ran 37:54 in full fire gear and completed his 100th mile on his way to 343 miles in honor of 9/11 and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. He was also the grand marshal in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade later in the day. Roselyn Mushrush, only 13, ran 38:10. She is the daughter of retired Striders volunteer Dave Mushrush, aka the A Team.
New Balance Nationals
A handful of local track athletes are competing this weekend at the New Balance Nationals in Boston. Ryan Moody of Sussex Academy will compete in the boys’ one-mile championship where he will try to crack the 4:16 mark. Dylan Harp of Cape will compete in the freshman mile. Trey Johnson of Cape/Above Expectations TC will compete in the 60-meter dash.
Early Half
An early-season half-marathon, the Shamrock Shuffle, will be held this Sunday at Cape Henlopen State Park. The race also has a 5K and a relay. It begins at 8 a.m. from the north end of the main beach parking lot. The half-marathon is a T course, leaving the bathhouse and heading to Fort Miles to Lewes to Herring Point to Gordons Pond to Fort Miles to the finish at the bathhouse. The course and registration are located at seashorestriders.com. For me, back in the ’80s, an early-season half was a good indication of how you did with your winter training. A shout-out to Sean Cain and his state park crew, as they were able to get the Gordons Pond Trail opened for the race. See you at the start!
