Run, White & Blue 5K draws nearly 700 runners
Who would think that nearly 700 participants would turnout for a 5K in Georgetown on a Thursday evening? That is exactly what happened Sept. 5 in Georgetown, as the 11th running of the Run, White & Blue 5K at Delaware Technical Community College attracted 695 participants who were running for veterans, first responders, active military, students and, most importantly on the local scene, for fallen fireman Thomas Wilson Berry III.
“Delaware Tech’s Run, White & Blue 5K Run/1-Mile Walk exceeded all expectations this year,” said Janelle Shellabarger, Del Tech’s director of communication & planning. “As a community event, we were so excited to host almost 700 runners/walkers. We appreciate the continued support of those who attend each year and welcome new participants each year. This was a special year as we remembered Thomas Berry III, and we were thrilled with the outpouring of love for the family and friends of Tommy. I’d like to thank all donors, vendors, participants and volunteers for making this year our best year yet.”
Nathan Waydelis, 19, of Lincoln, a former Milford cross country standout, captured the overall title in 17:13, while 38-year-old Melissa Wiley of Ocean City, Md., won the female title in 20:16. Matt Sparacino, 46, of Harrington won the male masters race in 17:56, while 54-year-old Tanya Karaman of Smyrna won the female masters division in 24:02.
Lewes runner Nolan Furlong took the 13U age group easily, racing to a 20:14 performance in the field of 12. The girls’ 13U age group had 16 participants and was a lot closer top, with Jordan Blades of Millsboro cruising to a time of 24:08, holding off Tori Millman in 24:31.
The boys’ 14-19 had 53 runners, while the girls’ race had 59, which when combined accounted for 20% of the total field.
The closest finish was in the female 60-69 age group, where Charlotte Brainard of Newark ran 32:32 to hold off Lori Brohawn of Cambridge, Md., who ran 32:41.
A nice race occurred in the 75-and-over age group, as 73-year-old Douglas Repetti of Lewes ran 28:27, while Striders regular 75-year-old Woody Disharoon of Laurel ran 28:54 for second.
Six teams at Sandhill
Cape Henlopen’s Jason Baker led his team at the Sandhill Fields cross country course Sept. 11, as the Vikings hosted a six-team meet with 30 different combinations of scores. The Seashore Striders team produced the meet, and within 15 minutes of the final female finisher, the results of all 30 meets were hot off the printer.
Baker went right to the front in the first 400 meters and never trailed in the race, crossing the finish in 15:42 to average 5:03-per-mile clip. Abner Murillo of Saint Mark’s led a pack of Spartans across the line, as they took the next five spots with an impressive 29-second top five gap. Saint Mark’s just missed a school record stat of putting all five scorers under the 17-minute barrier, as the fifth runner was 17:01.2.
Ryan Moody of Sussex Academy ran well for seventh overall in 17:03, while Cape grabbed the next three positions with Brayden Redd, Riley Stazzone and Andrew Radka to round out the top 10 finishers.
Saint Mark’s went 5-0 on the day, while Cape lost to the Spartans to go 4-1.
Sussex Academy put all five of their scorers in the top 10 on the girls’ side of the action led by Delmarva Christian transfer Abigail Crowley, just a freshman, who blistered the course in 18:20.
Looking back at last season on the same course, Sussex Academy eighth-grader Paige Ballinger finished second in 18:26 at the Sussex County Championships. Ballinger transferred to Padua this year.
Saint Mark’s grabbed the next two finishers, as Tessa Palm was second in 20:26 and Natalie Murillo was third in 20:45. Sussex Academy’s Katya Geyer grabbed fourth overall in 21:03, while Hailey Hassell led Cape in sixth place with a time of 21:16, holding off the Spartans’ Sadie Trumbull in 21:17.
Brianna Sordi, Riley Moriarty and Jordan Blades rounded out the top ten finishers for Sussex Academy.
