A total of 150 shiny happy people gathered in Dewey Beach Sept. 6 for the sixth running of the Summer’s End 5K. The pent-up demand for catching up would play itself out in a set of waves where runners appeared like blurred avatars running out of Rehoboth Bay down Dagsworthy Avenue toward the Atlantic Ocean before making a hard left turn at the liquor store followed by another left just past the Bottle & Cork.
The top 7 runners all broke 20 minutes, led by Colten Morris, 18, who won his second race in a row with a time of 16:34. Colten was followed by Joey Andrisani, 37, in 17:33; Mike Sewell, 51, masters winner, in 18:32; Matt Sparacino, 42, in 18:46; Scott Mooney, 37, in 19:34; and Carter Eggleston, 40, in 19:35.
Tiffany Herrera, 16, was the overall women’s winner with a time of 19:42. She was followed by her twin sister Stephanie Herrera in 20:36; Catie Stack, 18, in 22:47; Madison Todd, 14, in 23:21; and Mary Rice, 45, masters winner, in 23:24.
“Everyone is happy for the opportunity for an in-person race,” said Race Director Wayne Kursh. “Dewey has been very accommodating as we observe all the protocols. We have one more in-person race this Saturday, Sep. 12, the 5K portion of the Bottle & Cork, which will also feature a 10-mile virtual run.”
Summer’s End highlights
The Herrera twins were joined in the race by their dad Roberto Herrera, who logged a time of 24:11.
Madison Todd (23:21) ran, as did her parents Ben Todd (22:01) and Tammy Todd (25:41).
Shelly Murray, 56, won her age group with a time of 25:50 and so did her son Mike Marciano, 31, in 20:20.
The Eggleston family participated with Carter finishing in 19:35 followed by sons William in 28:42 and Chase in 29:03.
John Wichner ran 26:51, finishing just behind his sons Jack in 25:50 and Henry in 26:37.
Lily Manlove, 15, ran 24:03 followed by her dad Lance Manlove in 24:17.