This year's 15-19 female champion is Evelyn Burke, who reeled off evenly paced 8 min miles to clock 24:51, taking home the first place plaque. Sister of former YMCA 5 Mile Champion Mairin Smith, Evelyn says she is running to get in shape for lacrosse camp, but several insiders see harrier potential and look for more highlights later this summer in the Seven Sisters races. More excitement in today's field as Bryn Burke, long time record holder in the Striders prediction run, returned from an injury plagued few years to once again be the class of the 55-60 yr ladies group. It didnt take Bryn long to find a young mom with baby stroller to pace her through her 3.1 miles.
Cool weather allowed some improved times among the older guys with JBB knocking 40 seconds off his season best, placing third in 23:16. The chill in the air wasnt evident in the winning time, as Mike Wardian was first in 16:03. That's right, north of sixteen! The BHA running syndicate, in Massachusetts and Virginia on long training runs this weekend, sees the leader coming back to them as the August racing series is looking more and more competitive.
Hardly anything is left of the dozen fractured prune victory donuts, but the thrill of a hard earned early morning victory run through the Rehoboth pines will be a great July fourth memory. Congratulations Ev!!!
