Francisco Puac wins Firecracker 5K in 16:55
The 29th annual Beach Paper Firecracker 5K, run June 28 on the Grove Park course in Rehoboth, was won by Francisco Puac of Georgetown in a time of 16:55. Two hundred runners and walkers crossed the finish line.
Joining Francisco on the top five leaderboard, all under 18 minutes, were Georgetown University runner Eion Nohilly in 17:29, Carl Richardson in 17:33, Martin Rodriguez in 17:40 and Reginaldo Hernandez Gonsalez in 17:56.
The second tier of runners all finished in under 20 minutes. They included Mike Marciano in 19:05, masters winner Mike Sewell in 19:09, Caleb Bailey in 19:23, Nick Palazzo in 19:25 and Chris Stanley in 19:29.
Kathryn Nohilly, a sophomore at George Washington University, was the overall women’s winner in 19:40. Her dad Tommy Nohilly, the 1989 NCAA champion in the 3,000 steeplechase while running for Florida, was right behind his daughter in 19:48.
Susan Dunn was the second overall female in 21:41. She was followed by Faith Mitchell, 13, in 21:47, masters winner Jackie Quigley in 23:25 and Abby Andrews in 24:00.
JR Ward, 48, was male clydesdale winner in 23:41. Imogen Davidson White won the filly category in 28:13.
Local notables: Karen Johnston, 55, won her age group in 26:24, while her husband Brian Johnston, 63, won his age group in 22:37. Rick Poppleton, 66, continues to be untouchable in his age group, running 21:37. Dianna Golden, 66, ran 24:10 to win her age group by five minutes. The 70-74 male age group’s top four runners were all fast, led by Jules Woodall in 25:36, Tim Abbott in 25:37, Woody Disharoon in 26:43 and Phil Perry in 27:46. Joann Szczepkowski, 73, holder of many age-group state records, ran 27:32. Jim Batts, 77, won his age group in 29:28. Jack Huxtable, 81, owner of several age-group state records, ran 29:33.
Next on the Seashore Striders schedule are the 12th annual Race for the Ribbon Saturday, July 13, and the 37th annual Seashore 5-Mile Run Sunday, July 14.
