Another Seashore Striders Summer Series is in the books, as 80 runners qualified for the series that began in 1990 in Rehoboth Beach and continues to be one of the longest streaks or series in the state.
Runners must complete one five-mile race and five 5Ks to qualify for the series. Final series standings are determined by fastest five-mile race and five fastest 5Ks. Runners are placed in age groups by their age on first race entered.
This week, I dedicate my column to taking an in-depth look at 2022’s series results.
Eleven runners in the series completed all 11 races. Congratulations to Marian Dowling, Karen Eller, Cheryl Justison, Mary Kessler, Eugenija King, Sheila Young, Caleb Bradley, John Dowling, John Walters, Jules Woodall and Tim Young. Series results can be found by going to seashorestriders.com.
Overall male champion was Dylan Smiley with a combined time of 1:45:51.8, while Sarah Rickards took the female title in 2:17:25.9. Masters male champion was Mike Sewell in 2:09:48.3, with Susan Dunn winning the women’s masters title in 2:31:42.0.
Male age-group champions include: 14-19: Bennett Brumbley, 2:12:44.3; 20-24: Caleb Bradley, 2:04:02.5; 35-39: Joey Andrisani, 1:54:57.9; 40-44: Jeff Evans, 2:26:05.8; 45-49: John Blackford, 2:33:29.1; 50-54: Vince Pavic, 2:40:28.0; 55-59: John Yanacek, 3:07:06.7; 60-64: John Costello, 2:15:18.4; 65-69: Rick Poppleton, 2:30:49.4; 70-74: Woody Disharoon, 3:04:06.7; 75-79: Tim Abbott, 3:41:55.8; 80 and over: Jim Batts, 3:51:30.7.
Female age-group champions include: 10-13: Keiran Labarre, 3:02:22.0; 25-29: Keren Rams, 2:51:31.5; 35-39: Sarah Beebe, 2:41:20.1; 40-44: Heather Marvin, 3:22:37.9; 45-49: Jenny Seth, 2:59:12.5; 50-54: Tanya Karaman, 2:47:52.5; 55-59: Mardiny Ung, 2:35:18.1; 60-64: Margaret Colvin, 2:38:50.1; 65-69: Cathy Haut, 3:35:10.9; 70-74: Mary Kessler, 2:51:18.3; 75-79: Joann Szczepkowski, 3:27:31.6.
There 44 male qualifiers and 36 female qualifiers. The largest male age group was 60-64 with eight finishers, while the 55-59 division was the top for women with seven qualifying runners.
The largest male age-group margin of victory was 1:52:47.8 in the 80-and-over division, as Jim Batts defeated Jack Noel. On the female side, it was 1:01:54.0 in the 45-49 division, as Jenny Seth topped Tracey Ledoux.
The closest male age-group margin of victory was 1:42.4 in the 45-49 division, as John Blackford edged Breck Vanderwende. For the women, it was 52.9 seconds in the 35-39 group, with Sarah Beebe slipping past Eugenija King.
Series age grade
Age grade is a percentage of a runner’s time and world best time for their age and gender. Series age grade is computed as an average of age grades for each race. Age grades are as follows: 100% - world record level; 90%-99% - world class; 80%-89% - national class; 70%-79% - regional class; 60%-69% - local class.
1. Mary Kessler, 73, national; 2. Dylan Smiley, 24, national; 3. John Costello, 61, regional; 4. Joey Andrisani, 39, regional; 5. Margaret Colvin, 60, regional; 6. Mike Sewell, 52, regional; 7. Rick Poppleton, 69, regional; 8. Mardiny Ung, 55, regional; 9. Joann Szczepkowski, 76, regional; 10. Brian Johnston, 66, regional; 11. Sarah Richards, 37, regional; 12. Tim Young, 62, regional; 13. Marjorie Adams, 62, regional.
