Local ultra runner Luann Goldfarb tackles Cabin Fever 50K

Rehoboth Beach runner Luann Goldfarb, 60, completed the Cabin Fever 50K (31.07 miles) Feb. 19, in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. Goldfarb finished 112th overall and 22nd among female runners in a time of 7:12:14. No stranger to endurance racing, Goldfarb has completed the Patapsco Valley 50K in Baltimore; the Barkley Fall Classic Marathon in Frozen Head State Park, Tenn.; the Ironmasters Challenge 50K in Gardners, Pa.; and the Bandera 100K in Bandera, Texas, to name some of the larger events.

“I wasn't sure what to expect at New River Gorge, but it turned out to be a perfect day to be running someplace new,” said Goldfarb. “It was challenging, but less technical than some of my other races. I don't feel at all beat up like I have in past races, yet I had some 4,000 feet in elevation gain.”

Goldfarb was the oldest person registered at 60 years; most of the runners were kids between 20 and 30 years old. “The main thing I worried about was the cold at 22 degrees and only four aid stations,” said Goldfarb. “There was so much ice and snow on the trees when we drove in, but it warmed up nicely on an instant steep street running out of the town, and the wind wasn't too bad on ridges. Down along river, it actually got colder, but there was just the right amount of snow on the ground.” 

A total of 197 athletes took part in the event. Goldfarb is scheduled to attempt the Bigfoot 200 Endurance Run, a 200-mile race up Mount St. Helens, Wash., Aug. 12.

Henlopen Conference Track & Field Records

The Henlopen Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships were held recently at UMES, which means the annual meet records are updated with any changes. I thought I would take a look at the impressive list of records.

On the girls’ side, Smyrna High School owns eight of the 15 records to make it the dominant team on the list. The Eagles hold the following records: 55-meter hurdles, Taimira Ramseur, 8.63, 2017; 800, Naomi Bowser, 2:21.70, 2017; 1,600, Naomi Bowser, 5:18.71, 2017; high jump, Taimira Ramseur, 5-2, 2017; shot put, Myrissa McFolling-Young, 43-7.5, 2017; pole vault, Naomi Bowser, 10-0, 2018; 4-by-200 relay, 1:45.99, 2020; and 4-by-400 relay, 4:16.28, 2016. The Riders of Caesar Rodney hold three records: 200, Destiny Bailey-Perkins, 26.08, 2018; 3,200, Maleah Chumley, 11:36.18, 2019; and long jump, Destiny Bailey-Perkins, 18-9, 2019. Milford holds two records: 55, Destiny Sivels, 7.10, 2013; and 400, Shayla Wilson, 58.96, 2008. The Cape Vikings hold two records: 4-by-800 relay, 10:06.0, 2010; and high jump, Sawyer Walker, 5-2, 2020. Seaford holds one record: triple jump, Monshea Murray, 37-2.75, 2014. The 400-meter record from 2008 is the oldest record on the girls’ side of the conference top marks.

On the boys’ side of the records, three teams hold four records each as Dover, Milford and Smyrna account for 12 of the 15 record holders on the list. For Dover: high jump, Jamal Faulkner, 6-6, 2015; 55 hurdles, Mykele Sanders, 7.66, 2014; and Tatshaun Chisholm, 7.66, 2018; and 4-by-400 relay, 3:32.63, 2020. For the Milford Bucs: long jump, Ryan Thomas, 23-3, 2014; triple jump, Ryan Thomas, 47-7.75, 2010; pole vault, Nick Albert, 13-6, 2010; and 4-by-800 relay, 8:29.0, 2012. The Smyrna Eagles also hold four records: 55, Mark Richardson, 6.33, 2010; 200, Nigel Reeves, 22.48, 2020; 400, Demitri Carter, 50.22, 2022; and 1,600, Liam Meginnis, 4:31.54, 2022.

Polytech owns two records: 800, Matt Gatune, 1:59.01, 2022; and 3,200, Kenny Guy, 9:56.89, 2022. Sussex Central owns a relay record: 4-by-200 relay, 1:34.71, 2020, while Lake Forest owns one record: shot put, John Flamer, 52-1.5, 2015.

Vikings girls tie indoor mile relay record

The Cape girls found themselves in the seeded section of the 4-by-400 relay last weekend at the Delaware State Championships at UMES. The girls did not place as high as they had hoped, but running with competition that is better will allow you to run very fast.

“I would rather have us run fast and finish fifth than run slow and win the race,” said assistant coach Martin Rodriguez.  

The Vikings tied the school record of 4:20.16 with the team of sophomore Hannah Maney (1:03), sophomore Montana Jones (1:07), sophomore Landon Diehl (1:05) and senior Tia Jarvis (1:03). The record was set in 2020 with the team of sophomore Reagan Ciabattoni, sophomore Noelle Sabbagh, junior Taylor Johnson and sophomore Tia Jarvis.

Lucky Leprechaun 5K is back!

Our story begins in 2008. Irish Eyes had been operating in Milton for almost two years and was searching for a way to be more involved with this wonderful town. The Milton St. Patrick's Day Parade was born from this desire to give back to the town that welcomed them with open arms. This year there are four benefactors: Milton Fire Department, Milton Chamber of Commerce, Gladys Wilkins Seeding the Future Scholarship Fund, and Milton 4th of July Fireworks Fund.

The 12th Annual Milton St. Patrick’s Day Parade included more than 75 entries. Combined with the seventh annual Lucky Leprechaun 5K, almost $20,000 went to benefactors. In 2020, the 5K had more than 300 participants. In 2021 we were forced to take a year off.  In 2022, we expect to grow even more.

The ninth annual Lucky Leprechaun 5K will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 13, with the parade set for 2 p.m. Contact Irish Eyes in Milton for more information, 302-684-8889. Runners can also email stpatricksdayparade@irisheyespub.com or go to seashorestriders.com to sign up for the race.

Shamrock Shuffle 10-Miler & 5K returns

Kick off the spring season with the 16th Shamrock Shuffle 10-Miler & 5K to be held Sunday, March 6, at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. The beautiful course will leave the northeast corner of the bathhouse parking lot and head to Fort Miles, then move on to Herring Point by way of the clamshell trail. From Herring Point, it is a straight shot toward Gordons Pond, turning around at the five-mile mark about 400 meters before the parking lot trailhead. The course will retrace itself back to the bathhouse parking lot and the finish line. Awards will go to the overall, masters and top three finishers in 10-year age groups for both the 5K and the 10-miler. Register online at seashorestriders.com or print out the universal entry form and mail it. Both races will go off at 9 a.m.