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So, it’s been relatively silent here at CreekRoadRunners.org since the Covid-19 pandemic gripped our region and the world. However, that doesn’t mean that runners have not found ways to adapt and stay in shape and, yes, even “compete” (For example, see the previous story, posted three months ago.)
Such is the case with CRR Diane Kukich, the Newark woman with the still-intact streak of more than 10,000 consecutive days of workouts, dating back some 30 years. So, it figures that, while not a fanatic racer, she would design ways to push herself and compete (against the clock) as one of the top masters females in the area.
Enter the Crush the Pandemic competition, organized by Tri-Sports Charitable Events. The competition involved ten 5Ks, all self-timed. Perfect for Kukich, who simply pushed herself while working this into her fitness routine.
And, voila! Kukich took home (er, was mailed) hardware for winning the female masters category with the fastest cumulative time (4:25:27) for her series of 5K runs. That equates to a 26:33 average per 5K—not bad for anyone, let alone someone in the 65-69 age bracket.
Such a unique concept and award. Hopefully, we won’t have to see such a thing become the norm.
Stay healthy, and keep running.
CCR April Anderson and her husband, CCR Bruce Hubbard, ran the Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K on February 22. Anderson wanted to try out the competition in her new age group (75-79) and got second out of 32 women, which, because she finished within the top 10 percent of her class, netted her a mug and a doubloon award. There were more than 10,600 participants in the 5K. Anderson’s time was 37:41 (37:01 chip).
Escaping the “winter” in Delaware to head to sunny Florida for a weekend? Sign me up! The Gasparilla Distance Classic is a weekend filled with four races—5K and15K on Saturday and Half Marathon and 8K on Sunday. Runners can opt for challenges by signing up for combos of the races. I just did the half. 
Showing no signs of letting up even though he’s the oldest in his age group, CRR Doug Repetti placed first among the 65-69 contingent in 25:06. Taking a third place in the 60-64s was a notable podium finish for CRR Joe Dombroski. Dombroski’s chip time placed him third, but his 25:48 gun time, which is what Creek Road Runners reports, means that he was actually the second—by a second—to cross the finish line among his age group.
CRR Bruce Weber and CRR Diane Kukich placed first and second overall (out of 609 runners), respectively, in terms of age grading (scoring based on one’s time relative to the world record at that distance for one’s age). Weber scored an 82.5, and Kukich was close behind with 82.3. That, folks, is what is considered “National Class” (anything in the 80s). The two have been racing consistently with results like this for several years. There was only one other racer at this event who had an age-grading score in this range.
