Father’s Day 5K benefits Seashore Striders Youth Cross Country Team

A virtual field of 139 runners and walkers took part in the 30th Father’s Day 5K last weekend, raising money for the Seashore Striders Youth Cross Country Team. Runners had 48 hours to complete the distance. The Striders team has met Tuesday and Thursday afternoons since 1990 with young runners 7 to 18 years old. They learn sportsmanship, teamwork, hard work and working together. At the same time, they learn how to become better all-around runners. Assistant coach Derek Shockro and runner Shiloh O’Grady both attended the Zoom awards ceremony Monday evening and addressed the participants on the program.

“We thank you for participating in the Father’s Day event and helping us get these young runners where they need to be,” said Shockro, who also coaches indoor and outdoor track & field at Sussex Central High School.

O’Grady is heading into fifth grade at Shields Elementary School and was a top 25 Youth All-American two years ago. She just missed it again last season.

“I thank everyone for helping us go to nationals, and I am already training to be the best runner I can be this season,” said O’Grady.

Just over $500 was raised for the program through runner donations.

The Father’s Day event was the third in the Seashore Striders Summer Racing Series. Nick Cruz of Milford won the overall male title in 16:33, while Josephine Ledford, 15, of Frederica, won her third race in a row with a time of 19:24. Mike Sewell of Lewes won the male masters title in 18:07, while Susan Greally of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., won the female masters in 19:53.  

Male age-group winners were: 9 & U: Nolan Furlong in 23:39; 10-13: Steven Hart in 22:41; 14-19: Declan Rymer in 24:54; 20-24: Sonny Landis in 23:10; 25-29: Jeff Young in 17:26; 30-34: Bryan Mack in 19:07; 35-39: Martin Rodriguez in 17:26; 40-44: Mark Evans in 20:14; 45-49: Bryan Bowles in 21:45; 50-54: Rick Hughes in 19:24; 55-59: James Landis in 20:44; 60-64: Rich Oldrieve in 21:09; 65-69: Robert Fitzgerald in 21:59; 70-74: Woody Disharoon in 25:52; 75-79: Bill McArthur in 35:06; 80 & O: Jack Noel in 52:16.

Female age-group winners were: 9 & U: Nora Furlong in 41:29; 10-13: Allison Moore in 29:30; 14-19: Faith Mitchell in 21:50; 20-24: Jody Boyer in 27:49; 25-29: Alexandra Nesci in 28:20; 30-34: Monica Wheatley in 27:01; 35-39: Karen Eder in 41:39; 40-44: Shannon McKenzie in 20:37; 45-49: Jen Perry in 24:12; 50-54: Jackie Quigley in 23:48; 55-59: Lori Holdsworth in 23:34; 60-64: Gina Kylen in 27:16; 65-69: Teri Moore in 33:21; 70-74: Georgiana Gladstone in 41:42; 75-79: Sandra Gossman in 53:07.

30th Beach Paper 5K

The 30th Beach Paper Firecracker 5K will be held virtually Saturday, July 4 through Sunday, July 5. The Beach Paper 5K always supports a local charity, and the Seashore Striders hope to again donate to a local cause to be named. Register for the Beach Paper Firecracker 5K and secure your full-sized beach towel by going to www.seashorestriders.com.

Championship Series Stats

Runner and computer programmer Tim Young has taken over the Championship Series Results and they are looking good. Tim starts off with a top 20 overall listing, followed by the top 20 male, female, male masters and female masters. Each of the 16 age groups are then broken down and listed from 9 & under to 80 & over. The results are posted each week within 48 hours following the weekend event at www.seashorestriders.com. Check them out, and thank you, Tim!