The Dam Mill Hall of Fame was created in 2003 to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Dam Mill 5K, which is nicknamed the Best Little Race in Delaware.

The first class was the induction of the original three founders: Gary Brittingham, Graham Living and Donna Rogers.

In 2007, Roger Marino was inducted into the Dam Mill Hall of Fame. Marino and his crew from Mountaire worked countless hours on the event and teamed up with the Millsboro police and fire police to make sure the event went off perfectly.

Race Director Bruce Springer was inducted in 2008. Springer directed the event in the late '80s and into the '90s, when he also owned Timeout Sports, a longtime running shop in Rehoboth Beach.

The year 2013 saw running icons Richard Tikiob and Dave "Fredman" Frederick voted into the Hall of Fame. Both were Dam Mill runners and now capture photo memories, with Fredman covering the start and finish, and Tikiob all over the course with action shots. Thousands of runners each summer enjoy these professional photos.

In 2022, 83-year old Jack Noel went into the Hall of Fame after providing 40 years of magic to the race.

In 2023, 30-year series runner Teri Moore was inducted for her many years of toeing the line in the '80s, '90s and into the 2000s. Yours truly was also inducted by a secret ballot of votes by the skeleton runners of the event.

This year, Margaret Colvin of Rehoboth Beach was honored with induction. Colvin has remained on top of her age group for more than 30 years, an incredible feat. She is also currently leading the Seashore Striders Summer Racing Series and has won her series age group the past seven years.

Dam Mill 5K

A field of 250, a new record, was led by the Harrington Harrier Matt Sparacino who pulled away from buddy Andy Gorlich of Milton late in the race for a 10-second victory in 17:41.3. Gorlich hit the tape at 17:51.3, while Ariel Simbana of Millsboro grabbed third in 18:06.8, Martin Rodriguez of New Castle was fourth in 18:43.0 and Kevin Walther of Leesburg, Va., clocked 19:00.8 to round out the top five.

One of Delaware’s finest masters runners, Natalie Lutz of Hockessin, finished seventh overall in 19:24.6 to win the female overall title, while second place went to Sussex Tech graduate Arina Varrato of Georgetown in 20:33.4. Melissa Wiley of Ocean City, Md., grabbed the third position and also the female masters title in 20:38.8. Flor Duerr of Dover ran 21:17.5 in the fourth position, while masters specialist Jamie Hicks of Milford ran 21:48.8 to round out the top five female finishers.

In the 5K walk division, Rick Day of Milton finished first in 39:02.5, while Don Zalenski of Magnolia was second in 40:51.5, Paul Kostacopoulos of Rehoboth Beach grabbed third in 42:45.0, Gosling Creek walker Matt Woerner of Lewes finished fourth in 44:04.3 and Tim Morrow rounded out the top five in 52:52.2.

Laurie Yanacek of Milford won the female 5K walk in 40:46.6, while Amy Suben of Clarksburg, Md., was second in 41:29.0. Joan Kostacopoulos of Rehoboth Beach grabbed third in 43:30.0, with Marian Dowling of Ocean View finishing fourth in 43:31.1 and Ashley Groom of Rehoboth Beach rounding out the top five in 44:37.2.

Finish chute

A large field of 450 to 500 people is expected Saturday, Aug. 1, for the 18th annual Run for the Paws 5K in Dewey Beach to benefit Humane Animal Partners. The race starts at 7:30 a.m., at the Dewey Beach Lions Club.

The third annual Sam’s KIDS 5K is set for Sunday, Aug. 2, beginning and ending at Hyatt Place and the Lighthouse restaurant in Dewey Beach. The race begins at 8 a.m., and will be produced by Fusion Racing.

Also Aug. 2 is the eighth annual WaterMel Run Walk 5K in Lewes at 7:30 a.m., from American Legion Post 17 in Lewes. The race benefits the Mar-Del Watermelon Association. It's produced by Races2Run.