College T-shirts represent matriculation or shopping at Marshalls
Lots of runners wear college T-shirts during races, and it’s just as likely they shop at Marshalls as matriculate at Harvard, USC, Arkansas, Penn State or Beaver College.
On July 26, 389 runners finished the Northbeach College Day 5K, and most were “representing” some school, with Penn State dominating the roster of runners.
“Runners really get into the College Day 5K," said Race Director Wayne Kursh. “I’d say most runners have some connection to the school written across the front of their shirt.”
Dickson Mercer, 34, ran away with the title in a time of 16:40, although he almost tripped over a Bichon-Poodle on a retractable leash close to the finish line.
Mercer was followed by Brady Wilts, 18, in 17:26; Tom Parlapiano, 33 in 17:30; James Blackwood, 31, in 17:43; and Steve Eshelman, 21 in 18:10.
The women’s race was won by Madeline McLain, 15, in 19:21. She was followed by Meredith Chapla, 28, in 20:15; Sarah Mandes, 37, in 20:48; Olivia Dyer, 15, in 20:52; and Lis Jalot, 44, in 21:09.
Brandt Chi, 50, won the male masters 19:09, a time good enough for seventh overall and, more importantly, he didn’t get “chicked.”
Six girls 9 and under ran the race with three going under 28 minutes. The group was led by Maddie Edmondson in 26:58, Lindsay Miller in 26:59 and Colleen Dikeman in 27:57.
Natalie Dikeman, 11, in 26:10 and Brooke Dikeman, 10, 27:16, gave the Dikeman girls from Wilmington three family members under 12 and under 28 minutes.
A close battle was fought in the 45 to 49 female division. The group was won by Kim Geyer in 22:15 followed by Mardiny Ung in 22:36 and Sheri Sweigart in 22:39.
Karen Johnston, 51, won her age group in 24:04 just ahead of Linda Schwartz-Chi in 25:40.
Joann Szczepkowski, 69, ran 26:18 to remain undefeated in her age group (she owns eight state records), and Jamie Wollard, 77, was alone and first in her age category, running 45:13.
Erik Edmondson, 9, of Las Vegas, and Alex Edmonson, 9, of Cincinnati took the first two places in 9 and under boys in 22:45 and 23:47.
The 35 to 39 age group had a Sussex County flavor with Matt Keller from Millsboro in 19:44, John Blackford of Milton in 20:06 and C.J. Reed of Milton in 20:51.
Craig Holm, 60, one of the most celebrated distance runners in Delaware history, ran 22:04, but he was injured.
“Craig went to McKean and is the best distance runner this state ever produced," said Doug White, who is in the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame.
Holm qualified for three Olympic trials in the marathon and held the record on the old hilly CR half course with a 1:04.
Gene King, 72, of Lewes continues his hit summer with a 25:03.
Professor Bill McArthur, 75, won his age group in 27:25.
Jim Lyons, 81, was the sole survivor in his age group, winning in 43:11.
The next Races2Run event will be the 13th annual Dewey Beach Patrol 10K/5K Sunday, Aug. 2. Registration will be at the Rusty Rudder on Dickinson Avenue.
