Reasons to run distance are serious to frivolous for marathoners

Three thousand runners showed up for 3,000 reasons in the early morning Dec. 5 for the running of the Rehoboth Beach full and half marathons. Refracted early light peaked over Santa’s Little Boardwalk House. St. Nick wasn’t home, but there were a bunch of skinny helpers in the race and one wearing a crown of lights, like Franken-Santa of the new millennium.

“The support system between here and Lewes and the state park trail system is just unbelievable,” said Race Director Tim Bamforth.

“We don’t want the race to be any bigger,” said event coordinator Mary Beth Evans. “It’s perfect right where it is, manageable and with a personal touch for the runners and their families.”

The runners' bibs are color-coordinated with a computer chip that records their actual times on the road. The Lin-Mark Sports Inc. Timing System sorts it all out instantaneously if not sooner at the finish line.

Mike Digennaro, 37, won the half marathon in 1:10:27, which broke down to 5:23 per mile for 13.1 miles. The top seven runners were under a six-minute pace, including masters winner Dante Zappala, 40, with a time of 1:16.

Mary Schneider, 28, was the women’s half winner in 1:22:32, while Brenda Hodge, 44, was the second overall female and first masters in 1:23:45.

Adam Mulia, 39, won the marathon in 2:38:12, a 6:03 mile pace for 26.2 miles. Second overall and first masters male was Ivaylo Benov, 40, in a time of 2:42.45.

Elizabeth Swierzbinski, 28, was the overall women’s winner in 2:59:41.

In all, 18 runners broke the three-hour barrier, which translates to a 6:52 mile pace.

Age group awards went to the top five in each class. Some local results of interest: In the half marathon Ryan Wilson, 18, of Rehoboth ran 1:25 to win the 1-19 category.

Bridget Keegan, 27, of Bethany Beach won the female 25-29 in 1:38. Jeanne Knowles, 25, of Lewes was second in 1:38.

The male 45-49 race was won by Mike Sewell, 46, of Camden in 1:22. Bobby Spath, 46, of Milford was second with a time of 1:26:38 while Patrick Beebe, 45, of Rehoboth was fourth in 1:28:53.

Luann Goldfarb, 54, of Rehoboth was fourth in the female 50-54 category, clocking 1:50.

Greg Cauller, 56, a calculus teacher and cross country coach from York, Pa., won the men’s 55-59 race in 1:29. Tom Cariota, 58, of Rehoboth was fourth in 1:36:07.

Dr. Phil Williamson, 62, of Lewes finished third in the 60-64 class in 1:47.

Jules Woodall, 67, from Camden/Lewes, who played football for Smyrna 50 years ago, was second in 65-69, finishing in 1:59:22. Doug Tootell, 68, was fourth with a time of 2:03:58.

Laura Ritter, 65, of Rehoboth won the 65-69 female class in 2:01:18. Joann Szczepkowski, 69, was third in 2:04:39.

Magic Jack Noel, 77, of Lewes was second in the men’s 75-99 (no age break) in 3:04; Len Lesham, 78, was third in 3:38.

Sandra Davies, 75, of Lewes and a Temple School of Pharmacy graduate, was the second female finisher in 3:10:12.

Locals making the top five in age group awards for the marathon included Sam Hete, 18, of Rehoboth, who ran a 3:03:50.

Martin Rodriguez, 33, of Selbyville was fourth in 30-34, 3:01:42 a personal best and qualifying him for Boston.

Paul Montini, 47, from Philly but claimed as a local was fifth in 45-49 in 3:07:44.

Betsy Tootell, 61, of Lewes was second in 60-64 in 4:36:02.

Alaska is farther west than Hawaii and was represented in the marathon by Chuck Harvey, 70, of Anchorage in 4:42.