Enos Benbow, Cindy Conant win 28th Annual Dam Mill 5K
Cindy Conant is 50 years old and hates when I announce her age. I feel she should love to be 50 and fast, because in reality she could be 50 and slow or 50 and a couch potato, or maybe 50 and a Dunkin Donut-eating grandmother. But Cindy is fast and proved so Aug. 6, winning the Dam Mill race in 19:01, her best of the summer series. Cindy usually beats women who are 15 to 25 years younger and does it with a “go hard from the start and hang on to the finish” race plan. My computer program threw Cindy to the masters division instead of moving her up to the overall, and I missed her at the awards ceremony, making me look like Bozo the Clown with a mike. I apologized to my friend and told her to take her fast 50-year-old self to the refreshment table and bulk up on some watermelon. Results of the Dam Mill 5K can be found at www.seashorestriders.com.
Hall enters hall
Herb Hall Sr. was a lean, hardworking, age-group-winning machine on the roads throughout the ‘90s and into the 21st century in nearly every local road race in the area. If Herb Hall was on the line, he was smiling and having a good time, but when the gun sounded, runners had to be ready to race or they were quickly added to the chase pack.
Herb Hall was inducted into the ninth class of the Dam Mill Hall of Fame on Aug. 6, following the 28th annual event. Hall dominated at least three age groups during his racing days and always seemed to be near the top, if not at the top. Hall’s son, Herb Jr., was a standout 800-meter runner on my 1991 Cape track & field team, running 2:01.9.
The second inductee to be honored was longtime supporter Terry Ayers. Ayers put the Dam Mill 5K on the map with wonderful door prizes, gifts, and certificates for the runners for many years, and without his support the event would not have grown as it has. 2003 Hall of Famer and original founder Donna Rogers presented Hall and Ayers with their Hall of Fame Awards at the post-race ceremony.
Dam Mill Hall Flashback
In 2003, the Seashore Striders celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the Dam Mill race with the original three founders inducted into the event's Hall of Fame: Gary Brittingham, Graham Living and Donna Rogers. At the 2004 event, longtime runners Marion Lisehora and Tom Sombar won the honor for their yearly dedication.
In 2005, the highlight of the morning was the induction of the third class. That year, the event’s first winner back in 1984, Eric Beam of Ocean View, was inducted along with longtime race director in the 1980s, Dr. Paul Collins.
In 2006, the Hall of Fame presentation was held just before the award ceremony as Marion Lisehora presented former chamber of commerce president Joan Boyce with the honor, as well as safety coordinator John Hall for his efforts in making the event one of the safest in the state.
In 2007, the highlight of the day, outside of the best running weather of the whole summer, was the induction of Roger Marino into the Dam Mill Hall of Fame. Marino and his crew from Mountaire work countless hours on the event and team up with the police and fire police of Millsboro to make sure the event goes off perfectly. Every group needs a leader, and Marino has been a positive addition to the event for many years.
In 2008, longtime race director Bruce Springer was inducted. Springer directed the event from the late ‘80s to mid-‘90s and was the owner of the longtime running shop in Rehoboth Beach, Timeout Sports.
The 2009 selection went to the level-headed brains of this 19-year operation, and if any of the previous 11 Hall of Fame selections feel a bit ill, we added a doctor to the Dam Mill Hall of Fame: The Doctor of Racing, Lee Masser!
In 2010, the Millsboro Police Department was honored. Since the event began, the MPD has been providing safety on the course and allowing the participants to run and walk through the streets of Millsboro in what I consider as the safest course that I direct.
Benbow 11th at Providence half marathon
Enos Benbow won the Dam Mill 5K in a quick 16:27 and then hopped in a car to ride seven hours to the Rock & Roll 1/2 in Providence, R.I., where he finished 11th out of 7,000 finishers. Benbow, of Georgetown, ran 1:16:09 on a rain-soaked course. The half marathon took runners on an out-and-back route that started in the heart of the historic city's downtown, right in front of the Rhode Island State House. At every mile of the race, bands were playing music for both the participants and the spectators, and organizers say it was sounds from across the musical spectrum: rock, funk, reggae and country, along with some jazz and blues to spice up the flavor. Joey Kwit of New York City finished 431st in 1:44:09, while Roxy Castillo, also of New York City, ran 2:22:24 for 3,644th place.
Ellis wins Regensburg Triathlon
Professional triathlete Mary Beth Ellis of Rehoboth Beach and Boulder, Colo., captured the Regensburg Triathlon Aug. 7 for her second Ironman victory. Ellis won Ironman Austria in July. I have kept up with her progress in the past few months through blogs, her website, race results, and correspondence with her coaches and trainers. What I am finding is that her time is now, and she has made herself into the real deal and is making the best of it. Ellis is not on the Kona qualification list as of yet; however, I predict our Rehoboth triathlete will be in Hawaii Oct. 8 on the starting line.
Upcoming races
Saturday, Aug. 13 - 9th Annual Highway One Group 10K & 5K, 8 a.m., Rusty Rudder, Dewey Beach. races2run.com
Sunday, Aug. 14 - 2nd Annual Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk, Kids' Dash, 8:30 a.m., Cape High; Lewes. www.seashorestriders.com
Sunday, Aug. 14 - 5th Annual Dewey Beach Lions Club Run for Sight 5K, 8 a.m., Dewey Beach. races2run.com
Saturday, Aug. 20 - 3rd Annual S.P.C.A. Race for the Paws 5K Run & 1-Mile Dog Trot, 8 a.m., Starboard Restaurant, Dewey Beach. www.seashorestriders.com
Sunday, Aug. 21 - 1st Annual Colonel’s Challenge 5K & 12K Run/1-Mile Fun Walk, 8 a.m., James T. Wright Memorial Park, Preston, Md. www.seashorestriders.com
Sunday, Aug. 21 - 3rd Annual Greene Turtle Lewes 5K, 8:15 a.m., Greene Turtle, Lewes.
