The 42nd annual Dam Mill 5K, The Best Little Race in Delaware, took to the streets of Millsboro July 27, following an intense storm that blew through town while setup was taking place. The race was pushed back 30 minutes for safety, starting at 8 a.m. with 175 runners and walkers racing out of Cupola Park and up a gradual incline toward the fire station. The Millsboro Volunteer Fire Company, led by organizer John Hall, benefitted from the event and supported the participants by working the course and keeping it safe.
“The Dam Mill has become a traditional event in the town and the fire station family thanks all the runners, the sponsors and the volunteers who produced the event,” Hall said.
One of the highlights of the event is that participants have a small Blizzard waiting for them at the finish courtesy of Dairy Queen, one of the town’s popular places.
This year, the runners were treated with an overhead spray at the half-mile mark and again at the 2.5-mile mark, as well as a new turnaround location just under the new bypass bridge that has been under construction. The other nice feature about the flat-and-fast race is that the straightaways are long, with only a few turns on the course and a downhill finish. If you want to challenge your best time of the season, the Dam Mill race is your ticket.
Andy Gorlich, a new member of the 40-year-old club, put together one of his best races in the past few years by running 17:43.6 to win the overall male title, his first win in a Seashore Striders Summer Series event. Olivia Montini, 20, prepping for her upcoming cross season at Swarthmore, won the overall female title in a time of 19:27.2.
Matt Sparacino, 47, won the male masters division in 18:21.2 with a runner-up finish, while Jamie Hicks, 47, won the female masters division finishing 16th overall in 23:07.4.
The Dam Mill Hall of Fame highlighted the post-race celebration with longtime age group runners Peter Chiarelli and Chris Sinclair inducted. All the past inductee’s were recognized as well.
“Chris and Pete are both road warriors who have been tough competitors for many years,” said Peter Tracey of Washington, D.C. “As Chris says, ‘If you don’t run your best third mile at Dam Mill, you’ll have all winter to think about it.’ It’s great to have them as members of the hall of fame.”
Some age group highlights include Bernie Gallagher, 84, running 53:49, while Jack Noel, 86, walked to a time of 1:13:32. Rick Day of Lewes won the male 5K walk in 37:25.6, while Connie Marshall of Ocean View won the female 5K walk in 39:07.5. Trent Batson, 33, ran 29:50 without his basketball.
Oldest races in the state
When talking with longtime race director Wayne Kursh this week, I asked him where the Dam Mill fell in the state as far as longevity. Here is what I found out. The Dam Mill ranks third of fourth for the 5K distance, as some added the 5K in their later years. The Dam Mill is the sixth-oldest event in the state overall.
The oldest is the Turkey Trot in Newark in its 52nd year. Others include Bottle & Cork 10-Miler/5K in Dewey Beach (49 years), PNC Bank Run/Walk for MS Thanksgiving Day 10K/5K in Wilmington (47 years), Buffalo Stampede 10K/5K in Wyoming (45 years) and Mayors Icicle 10-Miler/5K in Wilmington (43 years).
Championship Series
The 35th Summer Series will finish up this Saturday at the 17th Race for the Paws 5K Run, 5K Walk and 1-Mile Dog Walk. The race will benefit Humane Animal Partners and will begin at 7:30 a.m. from the Dewey Lions Club.
The Summer Series awards ceremony will take place following the Last Blast Prediction 5K Saturday, Aug. 30. Over and out!
