Hustle for the House 5K creates bustle of heroes and harriers

The seventh annual Hustle for the House 5K in Lewes Sept. 16 was all about the bustle, with adults and kids rocking a superhero theme. Ironically, Lewes is the town where Ronald McDonald was once “clown captured” from the Route 1 Mickey D’s playground, then later returned by sinister students who left a message, “Lighten up, it was just a prank.”

There were 278 runners’ times recorded and about a hundred walkers spread out over the age groups. The pre-race Kiddie K was easily the largest field of the year.

Mark Walchinsky, 39, from Landenberg, Pa., tipped his real runner hand before the race by asking for directions.

Walchinsky won the overall race in 17:57. He was joined on the top 5 leaderboard by masters winner Steve Koch in 19:23, Bryan Mack in 19:37, Caleb Bradley in 20:30 and Geoff Snavely in 20:41.

Kim Geyer, 51, from Millersville, Pa., about to run over John Blackford (22:21) was the overall women’s winner in 22:25. Geyer was joined on the women’s leaderboard by Erin Ingui in 22:49, masters winner Melissa Wilson in 23:06, Angelina Idler in 23:55 and Brittany Farrell in 24:05.

There were several dogs and strollers in the race – some events don’t allow them because you may trip over them or, more likely, a fit mom pushing a double stroller accompanied by a mastiff on a leash may beat a hundred people, shattering their confidence.

There were 14 girls in the 9-and-under age group and another 14 in the 10-14 age group.

Five boys 9-and-under ran the 5K distance, with another 15 were in the 10-14 age group.

Travis Sample from Milton, a Vietnam vet, ran the race on his 78th birthday.

An expanded listing of results can be found at races2run.com.