Social distance start at Phase One 5K
The Races2Run Phase One 5K at Hudson Fields July 4 attracted 124 social distance runners. Everyone agreed it was nice to see everyone, even though it was difficult to recognize anyone.
The race began in waves with runners six feet apart.
“Thank god for chip timing,” said Race Director Wayne Kursh. “Ed Hartwell of Nova Timing sorts it all out at the end. There is a common finish line.”
Jose Rivera Yetter, 17, entering his senior year at Howard High School, was the overall winner in 18:24. Yetter ran a 16:57 at last fall’s Division II cross country championship, placing 12th. He was one of a dozen runners to go under 17 minutes – no one broke 16 minutes. Yetter had heart surgery last winter to correct an arrhythmia problem. He hasn’t missed a beat and is currently training 70 miles per week looking for a productive fall of cross country races.
Michelle Karsnitz, 35, who works for Cape Henlopen School District, was the overall women’s winner in 22:10.
Mike Sewell, 51, won the men’s masters race in 20:13. Laura Barger, 44, was the women’s masters champion in 23:52.
The top 5 leaderboard for men was: Yetter in 18:24, Francisco Puac in 18:34, Kenny Guy in 19:29, Joey Andrisani in 19:58 and Lance Kauffman in 20:10.
The top 5 women were Karsnitz in 22:10, Laura Berger in 23:52, Nancy Gomez in 25:54, Debra Isser in 26:34 and Mary Rice in 26:35.
Most of the runners trudging through the hot fields of Hudson were from Delaware, with a sprinkling from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia.
There were a couple masked registered runners who provided names but no ages; they are either in witness protection or are real bandits.
The 19th annual Santa Sprint 5K at Northbeach Saturday, July 18, in Dewey Beach is still on the Races2Run calendar as a show up and run event. Check races2run.com for the race schedule and expanded race results for each event – virtual and real.
