Contact: Jenni Brockman
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marshall, Smith Win 5K Rappahannock River Run
There isn’t a better way to begin a crisp October morning than by running or walking. And that’s exactly what one hundred thirty people did on Saturday morning, October 9, as participants in the First Annual 5K Rappahannock River Run to benefit St. Margaret’s School.
(l. to r.) Claire Stephenson, Britt Faulkner, Carol Combs, Lacey Wright, and Sara Newman discuss the performance benefits of breathe right nasal strips prior to warming up for Saturday's 5K River Run.
The out-and-back 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) run course, which began and ended in front of St. Margaret’s Hall on Water Lane, bordered the Rappahannock River and looped through shady streets around old town Tappahannock. The thud of sneakers hitting the pavement could be heard as runners and walkers propelled themselves past the school’s quaint campus numerous times.
With "A JOURNEY OF 3.1 MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP" scribbled neatly in colored chalk on pavement in front of the school and another etching that read: "HAVE FUN Y’ALL," the mood was set. Students gathered to cheer their respective SMS teams as blue/grey school bragging rights were at stake; two lopsided pumpkins marked the official start/finish line as race participants—sleepy-eyed students, fit forty-somethings, baby-stroller-pushing moms, and four-legged pooches—lined up together to await the blow horn signaling the race’s start.
Douglass Marshall, of Mathews, won the 5K race in a blistering time of 16 minutes 57.25 seconds. Rudolph Pekarek, of Kinsale, was second overall in 16:59.38. Todd Parker (17:14.29), of Lorton, finished third.
"That was a lot of fun for a race only in its first year. I run races all over the state, mostly triathlons, but this was a smaller event that had a special feel to it," Parker said. "I will definitely be back next year."
Finishing sixth place overall, Julia Smith, of Tappahannock, won the women’s competition in 19 minutes 19.29 seconds. SMS junior Britton Faulkner, of White Stone, was the second place female in 20:14.02. On her second place finish Faulkner commented, "The course was a lot of fun. I felt really strong and had a great time." Also from St. Margaret’s, Clarissa Roberts (20:37.44) finished third in the women’s competition. Faulkner and Roberts placed tenth and eleventh overall, respectively.
(l. to r.) Danzig Broad, winner of the pooch category, stands with owner, David, and Kate Taylor and her dogs, Chessie and Daisy.
Male and Female age group award winners were:
Male: 18 & Under - Patrick Brightwell (18:34), first; David Trombello, second; Billy Turner (20:03), third. 19 thru 29 - Douglass Marshall (16:57), first; Bill Hinson (24:43), second; Chuck Harris (25:38), third. 30 thru 39 - Todd Parker (17:14), first; Phillip Ridderhoff (20:08), second; Michael Larose (49:44), third. 40 thru 49 - Rudolph Pekarek (16:59), first; David Smith (18:56), second; Tom Burdette (41:22), third. 50 & Up - Put Preston (22:58), first; Charles Wasserman (23:36), second; Frank Rixey (24:04), third.
Female: 18 & Under - Britton Faulkner (20:14), first; Kelly Proctor (23:30), second; Lisa Jimenez (24:17), third. 19 thru 29 - Clarissa Roberts (20:37), first; Andrea Robinson (29:20), second; Kristen Howell (29:26), third. 30 thru 39 - Julia Smith (19:19), first; Laura Wright (28:45), second; Iris Doyle (24:32), third. 40 thru 49 - Brenda Avery (23:02), first; Martha Heric (26:45), second; Sue Saunders (28:28), third. 50 & Up - Sally Acree, first; Tobey Taliaferro (38:07), second; Hazel Laughton, third.
Special prizes were awarded to Patrick Brightwell (1st Essex County finisher), Britton Faulkner (1st SMS student), Clarissa Roberts (1st SMS faculty), and Kelly Williams (1st SMS alumna); first prize for the four-legged participant category went to Danzig Broad.
(l. to r.) Alumnae Association President, Martha Frances Fortson, awards Water Lane Dash second and third place finishers, Katherine Eastham and Emily Wright.
In addition to the 5K run a shorter "Water Lane Dash" event preceded the awards ceremony. Swept by Tappahannock residents, Will Wright finished first followed by Katherine Eastham and Will’s younger sister Emily.
St. Margaret’s Alumnae Association anticipates the 5K run will be an annual event. Following Saturday’s race Alumnae Association President Martha Frances Fortson said, "We intended for the run to be a bridge run similar to the one they do in Charleston, SC, but the date we selected coincided with Warsaw Fest so the bridge run idea got nixed. We hope to explore that option once again and look forward to doing this next year."
