Firecracker 5K a sign that runners are back to in-person racing
The 31st annual Firecracker 5K attracted 266 runners from 20 states July 3 in Rehoboth’s Grove Park.
John O’Connor, 20, of New Hope, Pa., was the overall winner in 17:05. He was chased to the finish line by Nathan Kuntz in 17:27, Martin Rodriguez in 17:34, masters winner Brian Burke in 17:58, Dominic Kuntz in 18:34, Matty Sparacino in 18:37, Kyle Devine in 18:51, Ben Schreiber in 18:53, Owen Oliver in 18:53 and Mike Sewell in 18:56.
Brynn Crandell, 15, of Dagsboro was 11th overall and first female in 19:01. Natalie Lutz was the second woman to cross the finish line in 19:22, followed by Abby Oliver in 19:45.
Cindy Conant, 60, was female masters champion in 20:39.
Maya Yngve, 12, ran 28:31 a day before turning into a teenager, finishing just ahead of her mom Carla, 49, who is also anticipating a milestone birthday and new age group for running.
Joanne Szczepkowski, 75, a holder of 13 state records over three age groups and eight different distances, ran the race in 28:30, an unofficial new state record for the 5K in the 75-79 age group, breaking her own record of 28:54.
Will Mullin, 12, of Danbury, Conn., crossed the line in 26:26 to edge out his mother Gretchen Lehman Mullin, who ran 26:30.
“My intention is to beat him,” Gretchen said before the race. Her son Will just smiled an “ain’t gonna happen” smirk.
The running lunch ladies of Cape Henlopen Bill Holdsworth, 61, and Lori Holdsworth, 60, both won their age groups, Bill in 21:09 and Lori in 23:37.
Lori’s mom Anna, 91, was chilling by the finish line in a beach chair and watched her daughter run a personal-best time.
Jack Huxtable, 83, won the 80-and-over division in 31:11 ahead of Jack Noel, 82, in 53:28 and Paul Kiefer, 80, in 53:18.
The next Seashore Striders races are the 14th annual Race for the Ribbon 5K Saturday, July 10, and the Beebe Heroes 5K Sunday, July 11.
