The Seashore Striders and the Town of Wyoming produced the 47th annual Buffalo Stampede 10K and 5K July 19 in Wyoming. Both parties faced some difficult decisions at the end of last week, as the original race day of July 18 had to be pushed back due to the bad air quality caused by the Canadian wildfires. Race participation rose to 261, but 27 deferred to the 2027 event and six moved to a future event.

“We really had no choice but to move the event to a later date, and we knew the air quality and temperature was going to be much lower by Sunday morning,” said Rich Tikiob of the Seashore Striders. “We activated our emergency plan with more water stops, finish-line spray, ice towels, and with the lower temperature of 75 degrees at the start, we felt we were producing a very safe event. It was one of the coolest Stampede races in race history.”

The race took off from Wyoming Park with all three events – the 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run – heading toward Orchard Road and past Fifer Orchards. DelDOT controlled the traffic on the Wyoming country roads, keeping the 200-plus participants safe through the course. Greeting the runners at the finish were Fifer's peaches and watermelons along with the wooden laser-engraved buffalo awards that have been a favorite for the last 47 years.

Crossing the finish in the top spot for the 5K was Delaware State runner Ian Cain of Camden Wyoming in 17:05.2, while Matt Sparacino of Harrington was second in 18:43.1, also winning the male masters division. Caleb Price of Magnolia grabbed third in 18:45.3. Masters racer Melissa Wiley of Ocean City, Md., ran 21:36.7 to win the female overall title, while Morgan Thompson of Hartly was second in 21:54.5. Aiyana Gary of Dover finished third in 22:25.4. Gina Albin, also timed in 22:25, captured the female masters title.

In the featured 10K event, history was made, as the first across the line was female racer Katie Macklin, 44, of Dover in a time of 37:21.1. Griffin Spana of Camden Wyoming was second to win the male overall title in 38:14.8. Ryan McMillan was third in 39:03.2. Jamie Parks of Berkeley, Calif., finished seventh in 40:36.6 to win the male masters title, while Jamie Hicks of Milford finished 17th in 46:55.3 to win another female masters title. 

Finish chute

This Sunday morning at Cupola Park in Millsboro will be one of Delaware’s oldest 5K races, as the 43rd Dam Mill 5K steps off with more than 200 participants on the starting line. Watermelon and Dairy Queen Blizzards will greet the runners and walkers at the finish. Proceeds go to the Millsboro Fire Department. The day before, Penn State grads will descend on Dewey Beach for the 24th annual Penn State College Day 5K with Races2Run. Just around the corner, also in Dewey Beach, is the 18th Race For the Paws 5K at the Dewey Beach Lions Club set for Saturday, Aug. 1. Proceeds are going to Humane Animal Partners. The race will be the final event in the Seashore Striders Summer Racing Series.