Lullaby in Birdland interrupted by Striders at Herring Point races
A bit of a pickle occurred at the Herring Point 5K and 10K at Cape Henlopen State Park on Oct. 14, as intrusive runners interrupted the Sunday solemnity of birders with binoculars. DJ Bam Bam was politely asked to kick back the noise because although birds are musical, they are not fans of the Isley Brothers hit song, “Shout!”
A most beautiful setting for a race attracted 43 runners in the 10K and another 41 in the 5K. All athletes are rare birds in their own right. The racecourse incorporated the trail system heading south to Gordons Pond, another venue that is shared with bikers and hikers who use it as a substitute for church.
Reginaldo Hernandez, 19, from Georgetown, blistered the 10K field in 33:46, which is too fast under any conditions. “The lead cart broke down and the turnaround wasn’t clearly marked, so I think maybe the course was cut short,” said Birdman Bamforth. “There was no doubt Hernandez was going to win, but that time is just too crazy fast.”
Michael Marciano, 29, looking like a shirtless Rocky Marciano, only better, was second in 43:57.
Janine Valerio, 26, was the first overall woman in 45:06.
Masters winners were Breck Vanderwende, 45, in 45:15, and Jackie Quigley, 51, in 49:43.
The 5K race was won by 13-year-old Alex Arnold of Millsboro in a time of 22:34.
Elaine Dernoga, 49, who proudly lists her address as Nassau, was the first woman in 26:19.
Masters winners were Craig Schroeder, 50, in 24:05 and Christine Hopkins, 55, in 26:37.
The next happy trails event for the Seashore Striders is the 16th annual Mariner’s Bethel 7-Miler/5K Trail Run at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21, at Camp Barnes, adjacent to the Assawoman Wildlife Refuge.
