Lee Masser runs his own race at his own pace

Masser montage - The 25th annual Dr. Lee Masser 5-miler at Cape May 27 saw a welcoming party of mostly women, along with Doc’s buddy Bennett Brumbly, escort Doc the final half-lap to the finish line. Relentless talkers Richard Tikiob and Bill Brooks are Docs’s wingmen in most races. Doc’s role is mostly to smile and provide cover for them running slow and blaming it on Doc. The good news is Doc, 82, finished another 5-miler. The bad news is he was last in his age group behind winner Jack Huxtable and Professor John Neal. Jamie Wollard, 80, from Rockville, Md., a breast cancer survivor, also finished ahead of Doc. Jamie doesn’t do entourages, but she does do Zumba.

Young gun - Dylan Varrato is a 23-year-old graduate of Sussex Tech and West Point. He placed fifth in the Masser 5-Miler in 29:47, which is a sub-six-minute pace. Dylan is a ripped, fit guy who looks the part of the warrior. He is in his second year of training, learning to fly a Black Hawk helicopter. The training has simulation and real-flight components, and lots of academic work as well. “Aviation is a seven-year commitment,” Dylan said. “And so when I’m 31, I’ll make a decision what to do next.” The armed services of the United States are stocked with talented and brave people like Dylan who keep the USA the No. 1 fighting force in the world.

Larry Bradley - I never knew “Fat Larry.” I first met Larry Bradley on the Boardwalk in Bethany May 26 after he ran the Justin’s Beach House 5K in 29:14. It was the very first race for the 38-year-old who has dropped an astounding 175 pounds since January 2017. Larry’s late uncle was Jimmy Bradley, who was on the only Sussex Central cross country team to win a state title, back in 1980 when the boys were coached by legendary wrestling coach Herm Bastianelli. Jimmy was killed in a hunting accident soon after graduation. “I looked up during my run and said, ‘C’mon, Jimmy, I know you’re with me,’” Larry told me. Larry said he runs every day, goes to the gym five days per week and works three jobs. “I want to run a marathon,” he said. I asked Larry, “Have you ever had a real coach who can help you achieve your goals?” “YouTube,” he said. “That’s the only coach I need.” He is probably right. 

Play days to payday - It’s serious business time for three Cape sports teams. Girls’ lacrosse faces off against undefeated Saint Mark’s Tuesday, May 29, in the DIAA state championship game at DE Turf north of Milford. It’s just that simple: One game, two 25-minute halves. It doesn’t matter how many titles you have won before. It’s not a history class, just 50 minutes of high-stakes lacrosse. Baseball hosts Appoquinimink at Chris Short Field at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, in a quarterfinal matchup. The Evick clan versus the Cunninghams of Lewes, you don’t get any more baseball than those two outfits. Got to get big hits and get people out; it’s just that simple. Boys’ lacrosse has the tall task of taking down Sallies in the semifinals Wednesday, May 30. The game is at 6 p.m. at Caravel, the first game of a doubleheader. Caesar Rodney plays Wilmington Friends in the 8 p.m. game. 

Snippets - I watched Tiara Duffy get a hit in her last at bat for South Carolina softball against Arizona in the Super Regional. She graduates with a 3.9 GPA. I’d say she should come back to Cape and talk to students about maximizing their talents, except I’ve never heard Tiara talk about herself. When she was Player of the Year for Cape hockey as a defender, I told her, “Never let your opponents know how nice you are.” Cape is hoping to interview for the position of girls’ basketball head coach next week. No one can relate to summer travel sports except the players, parents and coaches. It’s just impossible to know what any of it means. Getting stronger and faster and following good nutrition is important for all athletes. Reading is good. Remember when summer reading lists were fun? NBA playoffs have been pretty ugly. Let’s hope the finals are better. Go on now, git!