With a record turnout, the 10th annual Chessie Trail races welcomed 683 participants who endured cold weather to run and walk on the trail on Saturday, Oct. 25, raising money for improvements to the Chessie Nature Trail.
There were 842 registered participants, with 159 of those deciding not to take on temperatures in the 30s, but those who did were from 34 states and four countries. The day’s schedule, starting at 8 a.m., consisted of a marathon, a marathon relay, a half marathon, a 10-kilometer race and a 5K.
Race director Eric Sheffield said the event was “our most successful ever.” Sheffield noted that 78 percent of the registrants came from out of the area, “creating a large economic impact for the local economy, in addition to more than $10,000 that the race spent with local vendors.”
Numbers were still being added up earlier this month, but Sheffield said race organizers estimated that profits from the races raised more than $15,000 for Chessie Trail improvements.
During and after the races, Sheffield and his team of volunteers made sure the participants were offered plenty of water, Gatorade, snacks and encouragement.
In the marathon, which had 104 participants, Gerard Sharber, 37, set a new course record with his victory in 2 hours, 45 minutes, 4.02 seconds. Léo Jury, 23, placed second in 3:04:43.5. The top female finisher was Kimberly Mills, 35, placing third overall in 3:06:55.84, breaking the previous female course record by about 12 minutes. Finishing fourth overall and placing third among males was Stephen Cochran, 34, in 3:08:45.9. The second female finisher was Katharine Tibbetts, placing ninth overall in 3:26:30.52. Placing third among females and 13th overall was Ana Reutinger, 52, in 3:3:52.22.
There were 10 teams in the marathon relay. Roastoked Team won in 2:46:58.96, setting a course record for a mixed gender team, while Still Got It Team placed second in 2:48:10.1. Deuce Deuce Team finished third in 3:37:59.29, and The Pacemakers Team placed fourth in 3:40:09.5. Placing fifth was Baddies of Soro Team, which won the female division in 3:43:50.36, setting a course record for a female marathon relay team.
Like last year, the largest race of the day was the half marathon, with 259 participants. Quinton Meyers, 26, won in 1:18:59.28. The runner-up was Aaron Yoder, 29, in 1:23:03.65. Jacob Zimmerman, 24, who is the Parry McCluer High School assistant cross country coach, finished third in 1:27:15.26. The first female finisher was Savannah Reid, 22, placing 15th overall in 1:35:00.75. Placing second among females and 16th overall was Caitlin McGreevy, 35, in 1:35:06.42. Molly Biggs, 22, was the third female finisher, placing 17th in 1:35:41.07.
In the 10K race, which had 143 participants, Cian Bell, 24, won in 34:14.7. Ian Vest, 28, placed second in 35:52.99, and Sam Allen, 48, finished third in 37:50.97. The top female finisher was Jensen Helgerson, 25, placing 13th overall in 49:48.43. Placing second among females and 19th overall was Holly Kahn, 14, in 53:05.85. The third female runner was Madeline Nichols, 22, placing 20th in 53:33.88.
In the 5K, which welcomed 138 participants, Shannon Lowry, 24, won in 18:07.98. Teddy Kavanagh, 20, placed second in 18:39.9, and Bailey Autrey, 27, finished third in 19:28.55. The top female finisher was Cayce Friesenhahn, 35, placing fourth overall and setting a female course record of 19:41.36. Placing second among females and sixth overall was Mary Milby, 24, in 20:44.2. The third female runner was Paige Gance, 34, placing 17th in 26:22.99.
For full results and a gallery of photos, visit www.runthechessie. org. The 11th annual Chessie Trail races are planned for next fall, with the date to be determined.
