A fond Brond farewell

David Brond and Charlie Riordan

CRR David Brond keeps pace with CRR Charlie Riordan.

On Tuesday, we bid adieu to CRR David Brond, as he will be doing his running down in Georgia soon. Scheduled was a fun social run, and David liked it so much that he led the group on a five-mile loop in the oppressive heat and humidity.

Most survived well enough, though the distance split up the field considerably. Several opted not to do the entire distance (they know who they are) but were probably better off, considering the conditions.

We’ll miss David, particularly on the New Year’s Eve Day Trail Run in Fair Hill, which he liked, but wish him all the best in his new job and running environment. Good thing he’s accustomed to heat and humidity.

Brond Farewell group heads up Creek Road

The group heads up Creek Road just past the “S” curve.

the Brond Farewell group

Ten Creek Road Runners showed up to run with CRR David Brond (center).

Creek Road’s olympic connection

photo of Matt Robinson speaking at IOC HQ

CCR Matt Robinson speaks at IOC headquarters on “The Role of the CEO of a Running Club in the New Millennium.” (just kidding about the title)

In the words of self-proclaimed Creek Road Runners CEO CRR Matt Robinson, “Citius, altius, fortius.” Or maybe he just said, “Onward and upward.” Who can know for sure with Matt?

Robinson has been at the forefront of global sports initiatives for the University of Delaware. It is in this spirit that the University of Delaware is partnering with the Delaware Sports Commission, whose president is [ahem] CRR Matt Robinson, and the U.S. Olympic Committee to celebrate Olympic Day, recognized annually on June 23 in more than 160 countries to commemorate the birth of the modern games in 1896.

Delaware Olympic Day’s main goals are to promote fitness, fair play, sportsmanship, perseverance, and respect. And to those aspects of sport, all Creek Road Runners join in saying, “Citius, altius, fortius,” or something like that.

An Apple aloha

photo of Tom Apple, Doug Ridge, and Charlie RiordanSeveral Creek Road Runners gathered on June 5 for a final run on Creek Road with soon to be University of Hawai‘i Chancellor and CRR Tom Apple. This congenial group was the largest contingent of runners to head out at noon from Carpenter Sports Building in some time.

CRR Paul Amer organized this Aloha Apple Run. He says, “Everyone was sincerely sorry to [have to] say goodbye to such a good person, and at the same time proud and happy for Tom in his upcoming newest endeavor.” After the run, Paul was ready with Gatorade for the weary participants at CSB.

Though CRR Mark Deshon couldn’t run, he was able to bike and get a few shots along the way. The photo above clearly shows Tom enjoying the fact that he’s managed to get ahead of both fellow chemistry profs CRR Doug Ridge and CRR Charlie Riordan, a rarity indeed these days.

photo of group approaching the initial downhill

Tom Apple and friends have Creek Road covered on June 5.

CRRs standout in Blue Hen 5K

photo of Paul Amer, Mark Deshon, Bill Rose, and Stan Sandler

CRRs Paul Amer, Mark Deshon, Bill Rose, and Stan Sandler

It’s certainly the rare day, even at age 56, when CRR Mark Deshon gets beaten by eight other Creek Road Runners in a 5K. That’s what happened today, though, at the Blue Hen 5K.  We’ll get to the extenuating circumstances in a bit.

photo of Jay CoughenourWhat was great about this race is how well we old-timers did as a collective, beginning with the ever-impressive CRR Jay Coughenour, who is nursing an injury but was still able to run a comfortable (for him anyway) 18:35, coming in 4th overall. He won the 40-49 age group.  CRR Bill Rose left Mark by the wayside somewhere along the Hall Trail on his way to a 50-59 age group win and a 10th-place overall finish, in a super 19:23.  Taking third in that same category was CRR Tripp Shenton in 22:53.  Still going, just like the Eveready Energizer Bunny, CRR Bob Taggart won the 70-and-over group in 24:11.

photo of Jeanine RadiceOn the female side, last year’s woman’s winner CRR Jeanine Radice successfully defended her crown in this year’s race with a 19:47, even without having done any speedwork.  Jeanine finished 12th overall.  CRR Ann Jornlin won the 50-59 age group with an impressive 25:07.  Good job, both of you!

Mark hobbles across the finish

Mark Deshon hobbles across the line.

Oh, yeah.  Back to Mark.  Well, let’s just say that the 19:29 he turned in on May 6 came back to bite him, the result of which was that he had strained an achilles tendon.  This day he could only go at that pace for just less than two miles before the pain came back (and Bill Rose passed him).  This would explain the rather unusual finishing time in the photo.  Hey, at least he beat Delaware marathon legend Doug White (at right in photo), though Doug is over 70.

Congratulations to the winners and every Creek Road Runner who came out.

Fischer inducted into Delaware Sports Hall of Fame

photo of Jim Fischer trackside

Coach and CRR Jim Fischer

Those who know CRR Jim Fischer could have predicted this day and this particular honor would come. It had to come. For nearly 30 years, Jim has been the epitome of class and honor while mentoring hundreds in running sports—whether for cross country, indoor or outdoor track and field, road races, or the triathlon—often on his own personal time, not as part of his job as men’s and women’s coach at the University of Delaware. His dedication has been formally recognized at the state level with his induction into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame on May 17 (see story).

In March Jim was also honored by the Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association for his years of service to the running community.

Creek Road Runners everywhere join in echoing, “Congratulations, Jim!”