Eric and Lauren Westog earn titles at Race for the Ribbon 5K

The 15th annual Race for the Ribbon 5K held July 8 in Rehoboth Beach was won by 28-year-old Eric Westog of Chelsea, Mich., in a fast time of 15:17.

Eric’s wife of five years, Lauren, 27, won the women’s title in 21:04.

“I’m pregnant with our first child, and it’s my first time racing since the pregnancy,” Lauren said. “We will always look at this as the race where all three of us won.”  

They are both University of Georgia graduates and both won the Beach Paper 5K as newlyweds back in 2018. Eric's parents have a connection to the resort area. 

“I’m marathon training,” Eric said. “I’m hoping to meet the standard of 2:18 to qualify for the Olympic trials.”

Funds raised from the race were presented to the family of 3-year-old Zeke Clark, who had part of his right leg amputated as a result of a lawn mower accident in late June. Zeke and his father Johnathan worked the water stop at the one-mile mark.

The top five runners all broke 18 minutes. Austen Cave, 27, was second in 15:57, followed by Nick Cruz, 22, in 16:25; Jeff Young, 32, in 17:21; and male masters winner Martin Rodriguez, 41, in 17:52. 

Mae Treml, 17, of York, Pa., was second female in 21:56, followed by female masters winner Tanya Karaman, 53, in 22:22; and Susan Dunn, 46, in 22:28. 

A total of 184 runners completed the race. 

Notables - Dianna Golden, 70, of Frankford won the 70-74 age group in 24:04, with Mary Kessler, 74, of Harbeson in second in 26:48. Golden said she has been running for 40 years, with 35 marathons to her credit. Margaret Colvin, 62, of Rehoboth Beach won the 60-64 age group in 24:01. Mardiny Ung, 56, of Elizabethtown, Pa., won the 55-59 age group in 23:52. Rebecca Rubin, 51, of Bethesda, Md., won the 50-54 age group in 24:07. Eugenija King, 40, of New Castle won the 40-44 age group in 23:48. Holly Merritt, 28, of Fruitland, Md., won the 35-39 age group in 22:39. Katlyn Joraskie, 32, of Rock Hill, S.C., won the 30-34 age group in 23:04. The winners of the mentioned age groups were only separated by 1:24. 

Bennett Brumbley, 15, of Laurel won the 14-19 age group in 19:39. Nathaniel Dippold, 35, of Frederick, Md., won the 35-39 age group in 20:48. Jeff Evans, 43, of Lewes won the 40-44 age group in 21:02. Mark Evans, 47, of Fairfield, Conn., won the 45-49 age group in 18:42. Mike Sewell, 54, of Lewes won the 50-54 age group in 19:05. Bobby Hutton, 59, of Rehoboth Beach won the 55-59 age group in 19:27. John Costello, 62, of Milton won the 60-64 age group in 19:50. Mike Mitchell, 68, of Lewes won the 65-69 age group in 25:14. Rick Poppleton, 70, of Alexandria, Va., won the 70-74 age group in 22:00. Jim Rhatigan, 75, of Millsboro won the 75-79 age group in 30:15. Jim Batts, 81, of Millsboro won the 80-and-over age group in 37:43.