Maggie’s Mile honors the memory of Maggie Browne
Riding on the wave of excitement about Cole Hocker’s win in the 1,500 meters at the Paris Olympics, the fourth Maggie’s Mile was held Aug. 10 at Legends Stadium in Lewes. It was originally scheduled for Friday evening, but bad weather pushed it back 24 hours to ensure the safety of all participants.
The Maggie’s Mile is held in memory of Maggie Browne, a Cape Henlopen student-athlete who was taken from us too soon. She was on my track & field team at Beacon Middle and Cape Henlopen. Each year during senior awards night, the Maggie Browne Scholarship is presented. Past recipients include Elizabeth Melson in 2022, Katie Kuhlman in 2023 and Hannah Maney in 2024. All three winners are currently in college – Elizabeth at Penn State, Katie at Delaware and Hannah heading to Iowa.
The Maggie’s Mile is divided into nine championships, from the 9U Lil Mags to the Ultra Grand Masters for 60+, along with a walk and an Elite Championship. Something for everyone.
Theodore Walchinsky of Alexandria, Va., ran 3:22.8 and Manning Bean of Milton ran 3:16.7 to win the 800-meter 9U Lil Mag Division titles, while Atticus Mingo of Pittsburgh, Pa., ran 6:16.9 and Mackenzie Bean of Milton ran 7:39.6 to win the 10-12 Youth Division.
Ryan Baker of Lewes ran 4:40.2 and Ally Miller of Milton ran 6:15.8 to win the 13-19 Teen Division, while Michael Cerf of Milton ran 5:43.5 and Anna Stancofski of Lewes ran 6:47.1 to win the 20-39 Open Division.
Justin Welsh of Selbyville ran 6:36.3 and Melissa Wallace of New Market, Md., ran 6:43.7 to win the 40-49 Masters, while JP Milot of Ridgefield, Conn., ran 7:00.6 and Jen Cawthern of Lewes ran 6:49.7 to win the Grand Masters.
Tim Young of Rehoboth Beach ran 6:24.1 and Sheila Young of Rehoboth Beach ran 8:30.1 to win the Ultra Grand Masters, while Marion Dowling of Ocean View won the walk in a time of 13:39.9.
In the Elite Division, young Jason Baker of Lewes led from start to finish to post the fastest time of the day as he circled the oval four times for a time of 4:32.8. Close behind was elite masters runner Scott Wallace of New Market, Md., in a time of 4:36.9. Third place went to Lance Kauffman of Milton in a new personal best of 4:43.1, while Brayden Redd of Milton ran 5:01.2 for fourth place.
Masters runner Mark Walchinsky of Alexandria, Va., ran 5:04.1 for fifth, while Bennett Brumbley of Laurel was sixth in 5:21.2.
Paige Ballinger of Milford posted the fastest girls’ time of the day, as she went 5:29.4 for the win. Katie Kuhlman of Milton was second in 6:12.4. Ballinger is no stranger to racing fast, as she finished second in both the 2023 Sussex County Championships and the 2023 Henlopen Conference Championships in 18:26 and 18:44, respectively, while running for Sussex Academy.
Finish line
Cross country practice has begun for the high school teams in the First State, as they squeeze in three weeks of preseason before the regular season gets started in September. Sandhill Fields in Georgetown is one of the most popular courses in the state with its fast and flat, clearly marked course. Coaches are encouraged to make sure their home course is 3.11 miles.
Georgetown Middle has approval this season for a cross country team, which is good news for the high school program at Sussex Central.
The Boardwalk Swim is one mile and is coming up Sunday, Aug. 25, with the start at either Queen Street or Grenoble Street in Rehoboth Beach depending on which way the tide is running.
This Sunday, Aug. 18, will be the 10th anniversary of the Fire Fightin’ 5K in Rehoboth Beach. It begins at 8 a.m. at the Rehoboth Avenue Station 86, where you can pick up your T-shirt and bib from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17. Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company responds to more than 4,700 calls per year among the area three stations; it’s a great local organization to support. See you at the starting line.
