Memories surround Maggie’s Mile at Cape

Seashore Striders hosted the third annual Maggie’s Mile Aug. 11 at Cape Henlopen High School’s Legends Stadium, and although I love to direct the event, it always brings a tear to my eye when thinking about losing such a young girl too soon. The support, sponsorship, stories and memories of my former long, triple and high jumper are what the night is all about. The races are temporary, but Maggie’s memory will live on forever in each of you who remember her in your own way.

The opening race of the night, called the Lil Mags, was a half-mile contest for 9-and-under runners. Inaugural scholarship winner Elizabeth Melson was the starter as the young athletes raced off the line. Two laps later, it was 8-year-old Manning Bean of Milton, daughter of physical education Teacher of the Year Connie Bean, first across the line in a time of 3:47.8. Her sister Madden, 9, was second in 3:58.7, while 9-year-old Olivia Hopkins of Greenwood was third in 4:27.0. Winning the opening boys’ race was 4-year-old Anthony Lawrence of Birdsboro, Pa., in a time of 7:47.3.

Katie Kuhlman, heading to the University of Delaware, was the starter of the youth races for 10-12-year-olds that led off the first mile race. Cody Kuhlman, 11, of Milton won the boys’ race in 7:29.0, while Lucas Williams of Greenwood was second in 8:06.3. Kayleigh Passwaters, 12, of Greenwood won the girls’ race in 7:27.6, while Mackenzie Bean was second in 7:54.7. Ainsley Zachary was third in 9:05.1.

In the teen division for 13-19 runners, Ethan Thompson, 13, of Lewes ran away from 16-year-old Josue Laurore of Georgetown, as Thompson finished in 5:57.1 to Laurore’s 6:06.6. Emma Thompson, 14, of Lewes won the girls’ race in 6:43.0, while Ally Miller turned in a time of 7:26.8 and sister Victoria ran 8:24.7.

Terry Pettyjohn, 20, of Milford won the open 20-39 division, hitting the line in 5:23.9, while Steve Eshelman was second in 5:36.9 and Milton’s Michael Cerf was third in 5:47.3. Trudy Dalton, 38, of Selbyville ran a nice time of 5:54.6 to win the open female race, while Katie Laughlin was second in 6:56.3 and Keren Rams was third in 7:30.7.

Truck driver Enos Benbow of Georgetown ran 6:07.4 to win the male masters 40-49 division, while David Naples of Milton was second in 6:42.4. Lisa Sherman of Washington, D.C., ran 6:40.9 to win the female masters title, while Nikolette Lawrence ran 7:24.6 for second place. Kristin Thompson was third in 7:35.1.

Paul Timmons of Rehoboth Beach won the grandmasters 50-59 division in a time of 6:02.4, while Tanya Karaman of Smyrna won the female grandmasters race in 6:45.2, with Liz Guida in second in 7:01.1 and Jackie Quigley in third in a time of 7:37.0.

Tim Young, 63, won the ultra grandmasters 60-plus division with a time of 6:32.4, while Shaun Serfass of Selbyville ran 6:45.1 for second. Rich Tikiob of Lewes ran 7:52.6 for third. Jackie Rams-Martin ran 10:08.9 to win the female side of the division.

To end the night, I put together an elite division, and the remaining spectators came out on the track to cheer on the field.

Former Viking Lance Kauffman, 19, took the early lead with a 1:09 opening 400-meter split and opened a 10-yard gap on 25-year-old Sean Saxton, who had another 10 yards on 15-year-old Jason Baker and 27-year-old Nick Cruz. With two laps to go, Kauffman still had a slight lead, with Baker, Saxton and Cruz now in a pack of three. At the gun lap, all four elite runners were together. At the 300-meters-to-go mark, Saxton made a strong move to break away, while Baker and Cruz fought for second. Saxton powered to the line for the win in a time of 4:45.0, while Baker was second in 4:46.9. Cruz was third in 4:49.2, with Kauffman finishing fourth in 4:53.6. Martin Rodriguez of Selbyville grabbed fifth in 5:19.3, while sixth went to Bennett Brumbley of Laurel in 5:21.5. On the female side, Katie Kuhlman easily won the title in a time of 5:51.7.

Just 48 hours after we lost Maggie, I wrote one of my toughest columns about her, and I thought I would end this week’s the same way I finished that one. “Coaches and athletes make memories that can never be taken away, and I will always remember jumping, smiling, talented, hardworking, I-can-do-it attitude Maggie Browne. She is gone too early, but she will never be forgotten ... RIP, Magster!”