Firecracker 5K a blockbuster of fast times
The Fourth of July weekend Firecracker 5K always attracts fleet-footed runners to Rehoboth Beach. The 35th version was the fastest at the front in race history.
Eric Westog, 30, of Chelsea, Mich., blazed through the course in 15:06 to win the race. He was followed by masters runner Scott Wallace, 45, of New Market, Md., in 16:10.
Diane Neubauer, 36, of Ambler, Pa., broke the course record for women, placing third overall with a time of 16:31. Lisa Sherman, 51, of Washington, D.C., won the female masters title in 21:45.
The top 31 runners in the field of 500 broke 20 minutes. The top 56 participants ran at a pace under seven minutes per mile.
The FitBit crowd knows instantly if the course is off, like too short, explaining all the fast times, but there were no alarm bells going off in the post-race paddock.
Like a reverse rip current heading for the beach, youth runners too young to drive get swept along like a rough wave that crashes onto the beach. It is humbling for regular frontrunners who think they are pretty good.
J Lorincz, 9, of Kensington, Md., won his age group in 21:35. The male 10-13 division was crazy with a trio of 13-year-olds at the top, featuring Atticus Mingo, 19:29; Oliver Jenkins, 20:03; and Whit Leps, 20:32.
Matt Sparacino, 47, of Harrington, who has won many local races, ran a respectable 17:40, which earned him 12th place overall.
P Wood, 11, of Phoenixville, Pa., ran 19:01 for 11th place overall. She won the female 10-13 division.
Olivia Montini, 20, the top cross country runner for Swarthmore College and winner of the 2025 Jungle Jim’s 5K, won her age group in 19:28, but skewing all perspective, she was beaten by an 11-year-old.
Dr. Eve Hoffman, 38, of Washington, D.C., won her age group in 19:52, followed by Melissa Wiley, 39, of Ocean City, Md., in 19:52. Both Eve and Melissa have won several local races over the years, but they also ran slower than 11-year-old P Wood.
The Fourth of July Dewey Beach Liquors 5K also attracted more than 500 runners, solidifying Sesame Street by the Sea as a running mecca for fit families.
