Chaptico, MD – Long-time and recent traditions continued to prevail at the 2014 Chaptico Classic. After a one-year hiatus the practice of sending off the participants of the 10-kilometer (K) and 5K races with a cannon blast returned. For the second year in a row the hundreds who participated in the fabled road race were treated to free ice cream, courtesy of Spider Hall Farm in Barstow. Plus, for the third year in a row, David Raley, 31 of Lexington Park crossed the finish line first in the 10K segment.
Raley logged a time of 36 minutes, 5 seconds to claim the 10K. Leah Walker, 34 of Lusby was the top female finisher in the 10K with a time of 46 minutes and 19 seconds.
In the 5K Jeremy Hall was first with a time of 16 minutes and 37 seconds. The top female finisher in the 5K segment was Hayley Jackson, 14 of Lusby.
“This was our best year ever,” declared race director Mike Whitson.
The Chaptico Classic is Southern Maryland’s oldest road race and has been celebrated by running pundits for its bucolic venue. The 29-year-old event was started in the 1980s as a way to observe the town’s 350th birthday.
The participants began at their trek in front Christ Church’s hall on Zach Fowler Road, subsequently negotiating downtown Chaptico’s harrowing roundabout, off on a eastward path, eventually returning to the church hall.
Race proceeds benefit The Three Oaks Shelter, St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen, Southern Maryland Community Network, the Mary Lou Gough Food Pantry and The Jude House. In addition to the entry fees paid by participants, over 40 entities lend their support as event sponsors.
Race results will be subsequently posted on the Chesapeake Bay Running Clubs’ web site at www.cbrcmd.org
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
