CRR Dan Simmons

Nine Creek Road Runners successfully completed the inaugural Top of Delaware™ Triathlon yesterday at the Newark Reservoir.  The course featured a triangular quarter-mile swim course in the reservoir, a tough 11.4-mile bike loop on Newark-area roads, and a uniquely challenging 2.6-mile run that started at the foot of the reservoir, included portions of the reservoir and William Redd Park trails, and came back down to the foot of the reservoir before finishing with a nasty 50-yard incline straight up the steep side of the reservoir.

CRR Jennifer Pyle

CRR Dan Simmons (65-69) and CRR Jennifer Pyle (55-59) took the spotlight, as each won his/her age division, Simmons finishing in 1:22:57 and Pyle in 1:26:49.  Simmons, who is experienced in duathlons, hasn’t had experience as a competitive swimmer, so he was very glad to get that portion of the competition behind him.

CRR Rich Braun took second place among the 50-54s in a time of 1:21:02, finishing 99th overall out of the 317 finishers and tops among the Creek Road Runners.  Braun has recently come back into shape after having suffered a nasty biking accident.  When asked how the swim went, he said, “I couldn’t see much, and the water didn’t taste good.”

CRR Rich Braun

Other finishers included CRR Theresa Kauffman (50-54; 1:21:18), CRR Ryan German (35-39: 1:22:20), CRR John Sarmousakis (50-54; 1:24:41), CRR Mary Braun (50-54; 1:30:40), CRR Becky George (50-54; 1:32:11), and CRR Bruce Hubbard (65-69; 1:37:50).

It looks like the Top of Delaware™ Triathlon will become an annual event on the triathlon circuit.  It also seems like all the participants had fun and welcomed the challenge….  At least that’s what the impression was after it was all over!

Wow, CRR Mark Deshon does a 10K and wins his age group?  Believe it.  Deshon put in a couple days of (what, for him, constitutes) longer training runs up in Maine before uncorking a 43:56 at the Maine Lobster Festival 10K today.  He finished 21st overall out of more than 300 runners on the beautiful oceanside course in Rockland, Maine.

“The fresh morning sea air really helps, and it was a clear day with little humidity,” Deshon said. “Perfect conditions for my first 10K in nearly five years.”  With the plaque he received for his 50-59 age group win, he now has a matching set with the one he won 16 years ago.

Though he grew up in Salisbury, Md., and has lived most of his life near Creek Road in Newark, Mark was born in Rockland.

It was a banner day, both weather-wise and results-wise, on Creek Road. Seven Creek Road Runners won their respective age groups, two recorded age-group seconds, and one took an age-group third among the 321 finishers.

CRR Bill Rose and CRR Mark Deshon share a podium moment with YoUDee.

Leading the way, with the best time of the day among our contingent was CRR Bill Rose, who placed 7th overall and won the 50-59s with a 19:58. New CRR Thomas Schumacher placed 11th overall and won the 30-30s in 20:25.  CRR Bob Taggart took the top spot in among the 70-79s with a 24:27. Another newcomer, CRR Christine Schultz, ran a 24:51 to win the 40-49s. CRR Becky George was the top finisher in the women’s 50-59s with a 26:27. CRR Bruce Hubbard and his wife, CRR April Anderson, took top spots in the 60-69s in 26:01 and 34:47, respectively.

CRR Mark Deshon (50-59, 21:20 – 15th overall) and CRR Bob Bennett (70-79, 26:31) took seconds in their respective age groups, and new recruit CRR Dan Weile finished 13th overall while taking third in the 40-49s with a 20:33.

Even Creek Road Runners kids got into the act.

Aaron George, son of CRR Becky George, made it a mother-son double with a first among the 13-19s, finishing 5th overall in 19:39. CRR Christine Schultz’s daughter Lawson helped complete a mother-daughter double with a win in the 12-and-unders with a 28:38. CRR Cole Galloway’s entire clan seemed to be spread out along Creek Road, with his son Nathan taking first in the 12-and-unders with a 20:11, good for 9th place overall, and his son Nick taking a third in the 13-19s with a 22:11. Cole ran a 21:59.

Also notable was the emergence of CRR Steve Tague, who ran a comfortable 22:39 in his first race since having heart surgery two years ago.  Glad you’re back!

As always, it’s great to see CRR Jim Fischer volunteering at the finish.

Creek Road Runners enjoyed a successful day in both the Half-Marathon and the Marathon Relay yesterday in Wilmington.

Creek Road Runners successfully defended its coed masters relay crown. The team of CRR Bill Rose (44:06), CRR Shannon Lennon-Edwards (49:33), CRR David Edwards (50:02), and CRR Bill Farquhar (44:36) finished 10th overall among 242 relay teams with a 3:08:17 marathon time.

Two CRR women received age group awards in the Half-Marathon. CRR Natalie Rosenberg, the 9th female to cross the line and 40th overall finisher, placed 2nd in the 25-29 age group with a 1:39:33. CRR Theresa Kauffman won the 50-54 age group with a 1:48:36 effort.  There were 1,000 finishers in the Half.

CRR Tripp Shenton ran the Marathon. His finishing time, which qualified him for the Boston Marathon, was 3:32:15 (chip).

Well done, everyone!