Karen wins for Kelly at Fritchman 5K

Karen Sposato, 48, stole the show at the eighth running of the Kelly J. Fritchman Memorial 5K July 8 on the Lewes Beach side of the canal by winning the women’s title in a time of 22:17. Following Karen on the women’s leaderboard were Colleen Stringer in 22:20, Heather Dinicola in 22:24, Eddy Shoop in 22:26 and Casey Nixon in 23:31.

“Karen broke the banner for Kelly” was the storyline, as the two women were close friends. Kelly Fritchman was a CrossFit athlete and University of Delaware swimmer who lived with cystic fibrosis and just never backed down. Kelly passed away eight years ago, and many of the friends who packed the Methodist Church on Fourth Street in Lewes for her service eight years ago show up each July to run or walk in her memory.

C.J. Fritchman, 12, along with his buddy Joe Giles, 12, ran the race in 24:38. Todd Fritchman ran 25:34 ahead of his close friend Chris Antonio in 26:05. Melanie Fritchman, 14, ran 36:55.

There were connections through Delaware swimming and lifeguards, running through old school Rehoboth Beach Patrol and the Dewey Beach Patrol.

“It’s really is great to see everyone show up every summer,” Todd Fritchman said.

The overall champion came from the men’s side, led by Todd Burns in 16:55. Chasing Burns across the finish line were Liam Magerr in 18:13, Joey Andrisani in 18:14, Scott Budde in 19:13 and Brent Van Scyoc in 20:20.

Eight runners in the male 10-13 division broke 30 minutes led by Brexton Carter, 12, who ran 22:00 flat.

Tony Zigman, who recently turned 50, a former Kentucky football player and four-sport athlete at Cape circa 1983, embedded himself in the back of the run and walked a comfortable 56:21 along with his wife Tracy Burton Zigman.

The race benefits the Kelly J. Fritchman Swimming Scholarship. Kelly, who died when she was 32, swam competitively for Delaware during her four years of college.