Greene Turtle West 5K Run and Walk a Big Success

WEST OCEAN CITY- The 5^th Annual Greene Turtle West 5K run and walk held last weekend for the benefit of the Ocean City Emergency Medical Technicians and Fire Department was once again a huge success with over 200 racing on a picture-perfect Sunday morning.

For the fifth straight year, the Greene Turtle West, with partner Races2Run, hosted the annual 5K for the benefit of the Ocean City EMTs and Fire Department. From modest beginnings five years ago, when less than 100 participants signed up for the race, the annual Greene Turtle 5K run and walk has steadily increased in popularity. Last year, nearly 300 racers competed and about 220 showed up this year for the annual event.

Dozens of local athletes competed in the race last Sunday and most of the field hailed from mid-Atlantic states including Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New York and New Jersey. Many compete in Races2Run summer-long racing series with most of the events in coastal Delaware. However, last week's Greene Turtle 5K attracted competitors from all over the country including Nevada, Texas, Utah and Illinois.

The course began at the entrance to the Greene Turtle and headed south on Route 611 before making a loop through the Mystic Harbor community and returning to the finish line in front of the establishment. A post-race party in the Greene Turtle West immediately followed the event with food and refreshments, music, door prizes and awards presentations.

Roughly 220 racers participated and turned in quick times on the flat, fast course. For the record, Ethan Rissell, 14, of Alexandria, Va., was first across the finish line with a time of 16:13. Kelly Horowitz, 34, of Wilmington, was fourth overall and the top female finisher. Local racers cracking the Top 50 included Mark Solito, Berlin, 12^th; Donald Parano, Berlin, 21^st; Christopher Riley, 20, Ocean City, 28^th; Brandon Redmond, 33, Ocean Pines, 31^st; and Patti Moore, 46, Ocean City, 50^th.

Several of the local racers finished among the award winners in their particular age and gender groups including Chris Riley, (4^th), men's 19-24; Mark Solito, (2^nd), men's 30-34; Brandon Redmond, (4^th) men's 3-34; Donald Parana, (2^nd), men's 45-49; Bud Campbell, (4^th), men's 60-64; Richard Faller, (5^th), men's 60-64; Sonny Heinecke, (2^nd), men's 70-74; and Bud Vogel, (2^nd), men's 75 and over.

Local females placing in their respective age classes included Tracy McDonnell, (3^rd), women's 19-24; Sue Carpenter, (4^th), women's 40-44; Patti Moore, (4^th), women's 45-49; Laura Johnston, (4^th), women's 50-54; Sue Lobue (5^th), women's 50-54; Bev Snyder, (4^th), women's 60-64; Elizabeth Kitts, (2^nd) women's 65-69; Ellen Zajac, (3^rd), women's 65-69; Charlotte Dieter, (4^th), women's 65-69; and June Lovensheimer (1^st), women's 70-74.