Prince Frederick, MD – One of the summer of 2018’s sports highlights in Southern Maryland was the second annual Daring the Blaze 5 Kilometer (K) Run/Walk, which was held in late June.
“The Dares Beach Civic Association and I put this event on, and we raised around $1,000 for the Prince Frederick Fire Department, race founder and director Noah Wood stated. “We would also like to thank Weis Food Markets and Rita’s Italian Ice, our partners that sponsored our race. Their support was a valuable contribution to our event. The 5-kilometer (3.1-mile race course) through the streets and hills of the bayside Dares Beach community is one of the tougher 5K races in the Southern Maryland area because of the turns and demanding hills—especially in the last mile. However, runners and walkers were cheered by Dares Beach residents, and a few even had their sprinklers out along with a water stop.”
Wood said there were a little over 70 finishers in this year’s race, including a few in strollers. On the men’s side, William Allen II defended his title as the men’s champion with a time of 17 minutes, 41 seconds. Not too far behind was Kevin O’Clair with a time of 18 minutes, 34 seconds. Chris Zabriskie rounded out the top-three men logging a time of 20minutes, 56 seconds. Zabriskie also was the Top Male Masters finisher, meaning he was the first man 40-or-over across the finish line. In addition, Jeff Heron defended his title as the Top Male Dares Beach resident with a time just a little over 26 minutes, 40 seconds.
Kelsey Rochester was the women’s champion with a time of 25 minutes, 49 seconds. She was followed closely by Sarah Roe 26 minutes, 3 seconds) and Jordan Bittner, 26 minutes, 40seconds. Bittner also won the Top Female Dares Beach Resident title. Heather Hammett was the Top Female Masters finisher in a time of 28 minutes, 28 seconds.
Other notable accomplishments included Ming Carmack finishing her first race ever in 39 minutes, 46 seconds and placing third in her age group. Josiah Pearson at age 5 was the youngest finisher on foot, and he finished with his dad, Steve Pearson, in a time of 43 minutes, 10 seconds. Steve Pearson also pushed his one-year-old son, Ben, in a stroller. Ersaline Hammett won the Women’s 70-79 age group after walking the 5K in 52 minutes, 3 seconds along with her friends, Mary Forringer and David Ballot. Hammett, a very avid walker, had already walked several miles earlier that morning.
For more information on the race, including results, photos from Wood’s wife, Kay, and a few other participants, and other announcements about the race, check out the Daring the Blaze 5K Run/Walk Facebook page