There are a couple upcoming local events worth supporting, especially if you’re a Creek Road Runner.
Caffé Gelato’s Waffle Cone Ten Miler
Sunday, October 20
9:00 a.m. start
The brainchild of restauranteur and CRR Ryan German, this unique race takes you on an out-and-back to the Pennsylvania state line from downtown Newark along Creek Road’s paved road and unpaved trails to benefit Friendship House. – registration info
14th Annual Scott Mackler 5K
Sunday, October 27
12:30 p.m. start
Named in honor of CRR Scott Mackler, who suffers with ALS, this race, the hardest road 5K in the state, benefits ALS research. At Temple Beth El on Possum Park Road in Newark. – registration info
Mid-Atlantic Ballet’s Tutu Trot 5K
Saturday, November 2
9:00 a.m. start
CRR Mike Chajes is involved in organizing this event, which benefits the Mid-Atlantic Ballet.
Creek Road course starts at Olan Thomas Park. – registration info
CRR Jay Coughenour finished 16th overall in the Delaware Distance Classic 15K today, winning the 45-49 age group in 57:03. Running this course in less than an hour is impressive (6:08 per mile). At 48, his time age grades to an 80.65, which is considered national class. Congratulations on a fine performance!
Age group winners CRR Bill Rose (50-59) ran a 19:43 and finished 4th overall, CRR Dan Simmons (60-69) ran a 21:48, CRR Diane Kukich (60-69) ran a 25:44, CRR Becky George (50-59) ran a 26:38, and CRR Bob Bennett (70+) ran a 28:52. CRR Mark Deshon, who took second place honors in the 50-59s and placed 6th overall in the event, ran a 20:50.
For those who enjoy shortest, “sprintiest” races, maybe this local dash might be to your liking. Get it over with quickly at the Main Street Mile, to be held on Saturday morning, October 5.
It’s great for those of us who no longer run races every weekend to simply pick and choose from a plethora of events each week, the vast majority of which support worthy causes (never mind just racing for the fun of it). Once a fixture at weekend races back in the late 1990s, CRR Diane Kukich races sparingly now but picks her spots, and she does so with her “eyes on the prize.” She seems to like the women-only races and on September 12th won her age group (60-64) in the Pink Ribbon 5K with a time of 25:56, placing 55th out of the 539 females who competed.