Leonardtown, MD – The week-long forecast of gloomy race weather just didn’t pan out Saturday morning, April 9 and the sun shone on Leonardtown long enough to get the hundreds participating in the 2016 Run For Hospice across the finish line.
The 21st running of the celebrated Southern Maryland road race—a 5 kilometer (K) and 10K event—drew an impressive crowd.
For the second year in a row Leonardtown teen Parker McDowell tore up the 10K course, finishing with a time of 36 minutes and 11 seconds. McDowell, who is 15, improved on his 2015 race time by nearly one minute. Finishing second was Chris McDowell, 45 of Leonardtown, who logged a time of 39 minutes and 52 seconds. The third-place finisher—and top female racer in the 10K—was Susan Montague, 31 of Leonardtown, who completed the trek in 40 minutes and 28 seconds.
In the 5K segment David Strickland, 20 of Lexington Park finished ahead of the field with a time of 17 minutes and 10 seconds. Sam Katlulich, 17 of Leonardtown placed second, finishing in 17minutes and 37 seconds. Close behind was third-place finisher Brian Miller of St. Leonard, who logged a time of 17 minutes and 40 seconds. The top female finisher in the 5K was Laurel Cahill, 30 of Hughesville, whose time was 22 minutes and 10 seconds.
The 2016 Defender’s Cup was dedicated to the memory of John A. DiGiovacchino, better known as “D-12,” who was a Naval aviator and former test pilot at Patuxent Naval Air Station. DiGiovacchino was killed last summer in a motorcycle crash in New York.
The team called “The Twelvers” won the cup, as its top four members finished the 5K race with an average time of 21 minutes and 18 seconds. The second place team, Smartronix, had an average time of 21 seconds and 44 seconds by its top four members. Five teams participated in the 5K.
The MedStar Cup was awarded to the St. Mary’s Hospital/Hospice Team.
At the conclusion of the race volunteers served a free, sumptuous brunch to the participants and spectators. The menu included grilled hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches with Cole slaw, tomato bisque, pasta, pastries, fruit and yogurt.
The theme of the 21st annual Run For Hospice was “Viva Las Vegas.” However, unlike the famous Nevada city, what happened in Leonardtown won’t necessarily stay in Leonardtown. The money raised by the race will be used to support the programs of Hospice of St. Mary’s, which are available to all county residents. The local organization also runs Hospice House of St. Mary’s County in Callaway.
For more information about Hospice of St. Mary’s visit www.hospiceofstmarys.org
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
