Let Me Run runners tackle DQ Dash
Who doesn’t want to finish a 5K to a full table of mini Blizzards from Dairy Queen? That was once again the setting May 18, as the seventh annual DQ Dash and 1-mile walk attacted 350 runners and walkers on a cloudy and cool morning in Lewes. Proceeds from the race benefit the Go Fourth Lewes Fireworks Fund.
“I thank you for coming out today and showing your support, and I hope you enjoy the Lewes fireworks,” said Chair Russ Palmer just before the start of the race.
“We are always excited to host this event,” said Ashley Diehl. “We love how much it has grown, and we’re grateful that so many come out to support an event that is supporting our community! It’s always such a fun time. Everyone that runs or walks is happy because they know there will be ice cream at the finish line!”
Matt Sparacino, 47, of Harrington captured the overall male title for the second year in a row in a time of 18:13. Keely Arndt, 23, of Camden-Wyoming was fourth overall and won the overall female title in 19:51. Martin Rodriguez of Selbyville defended his male masters title in 19:06, while Katherine Kulig, 47, of Melrose, Mass., won the female masters title in 22:35.
The Let Me Run group comprised 55 athletes and a handful of coaches who have been training all spring for this event. Many families of the athletes showed their support by lining the finish area and cheering on the young boys.
A large group of young runners participated in the event with 13 boys in the 9U age group, 50 boys in the 10-13 age group and 11 boys in the 14-19 age group. On the girls’ side of the action, six girls participated in the 9U age group, nine girls participated in the 10-13 age group and two girls participated in the 14-19 age group. A total of 91 runners from the three young age groups took part in the event, making up 26% of the field.
Moody races to a PR
Junior Ryan Moody of Milton, running for Sussex Academy, put together one of the finest performances of the track & field season May 20, racing at the Meet of Champions at Dover High School. Moody ran the 1,600 meters in a new personal-best time of 4:16.11, good for third place in the race. Moody had won the Henlopen Conference race in 4:20.97 and finished sixth at the state championships in 4:27.
“My mindset going into the race was to stay with the lead pack and not let them pull away from me on the second or third lap,” said Moody. “I really wanted to break the 4:20 barrier and hopefully get in top four.”
Not only did Moody shatter his personal best, but he also lowered his own school record and ran faster than any distance runner has run the 1,600 meters below the canal. Moody’s 4:16.11 is faster than any high school 1,600 record in the Henlopen Conference. Moody began running with the Seashore Striders and finished 25th to earn Youth All-American status in 2015 as a second-grader.
Another downstate highlight in the Meet of Champions was a win in the high jump by Sussex Academy’s Katya Geyer. Geyer jumped 5-2 to win the competition and go back-to-back, as she is also the defending indoor state champion in the high jump.
In the 3,200 meters, it was Jason Baker of Cape setting a new personal best of 9:11.28, winning by 10 seconds over Gavin Leffler of Tatnall. Baker wasn’t the only one from Cape, as they put three under the 10-minute mark, with Riley Stazzone running 9:37.07 for a new PR for sixth place and Nick Petito running 9:53.30 for a new PR in 11th place.
Will DiPaolo won the pole vault in 13-0, while Mallory Kauffman won the discus in 116-0.
Masser 5-Miler
Join the Seashore Striders for one of our longest-running events at the shore – the 32nd Masser 5-Miler to be held at 7:30 a.m., Sunday, May 25. Kicking off the popular Seashore Striders Championship Series, this year's race should draw 250 to 300 participants. The Masser 5-Miler is named after one of the founders of the Summer Championship Series, the late Dr. Lee Masser of Edgewater, Md. The course is flat and fast and run mostly on bike trails through Lewes with little traffic. The race will start and finish at Cape Henlopen High School inside Legends Stadium. Come celebrate what Doc Masser has done for running and racing at the beach and join the Striders for the Masser 5-Miler. Go to seashorestriders.com for race information.
