The granddaddy of Newark road racing, the annual Turkey Trot 10K and 5K were contested on Saturday. There were five award winners among the Creek Road Runners.
In the 10K, CRR Christina Parsons won the 50-54 age group, finishing 40th overall out of 178 runners in 48:36. Parsons margin of victory in her age group was more than seven minutes! CRR Steve Tague, who finished 24th overall, ran a solid 44:37 and took second in the 55-59 age group.
In the 5K, the honors go to two 70-and-over seniors, who each won this ever-thinning division. CRR Doug Ridge won in 28:28, and CRR April Anderson won in 42:12 (no doubt walking much of it).
The fastest time among CRRs in the 5K belonged to CRR Doug Repetti, who ran a 27:05, taking second place among the 65-69s.
A well-deserved Thanksgiving meal goes to you five.
CRR Anja Leefeldt took first in the 40-49 age group in 25:29, less than three seconds off the finishing time of the woman who took the top master’s place. (Leefeldt’s chip time was actually three seconds faster than the top master’s chip time, meaning she’ll have to get closer to the starting line in the future.) CRR Becky George took third in the 50-59 age group in 26:34.
CRR Bill Farquhar, who finished 10th overall in 57:44 (crushing the hour mark) and winning the 50-54 age group.
CRR Robert Hesketh of the South Jersey Athletic Club, who finished 33rd in 1:08:42 (7th among the 55-59s).
CRR Teresa Kauffman, who finished in 1:27:54 (4th among the 55-59s).
CRR Julie Brewer, who completed the 15K distance in 1:36:10 (8th among the 55-59s).
In Newark’s inaugural Lederhosen Half Marathon last Saturday, 38-year-old CRR Andrew Weber blitzed the course that covered most of the city, having to follow only a motorcycle and/or cyclist marshal, in 1:22:22. The younger Weber (no relation) won the race outright among 352 finishers.
On Sunday, August 19, the annual Top of Delaware Triathlon was contested. This grueling sprint triathlon comprises a 750m swim in the scenic Newark Reservoir, a hilly 20K bike, and a combo paved-surface/trail 5K, culminating with a dreadful climb to the finish. Four Creek Road Runners met and conquered the challenge this year.