Dares Beach, MD – If it wasn’t the heat it was the hills. Approximately 70 people gathered in the bayside community of Dares Beach Saturday morning, July 22 for the first-ever Daring the Blaze 5 Kilometer (K) Run/Walk. Race organizer and Dares Beach resident Noah Wood planned the event as a way to aid the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department (Company 2).
“Thank you all for being here,” said Company 2’s Tim Delehanty, who reminded participants that Calvert County has Maryland’s last all-volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical services system. Delehanty drew applause when he mentioned Company 2 is preparing for a much-needed firehouse replacement project that the Calvert County Commissioners approved earlier this year.
The 5K course proved challenging for the racers, mostly due to Dares Beach’s daunting topography. In addition to cutting through an unpaved wooded area, several hills also gave the racing legs a good workout. No hill proved more challenging than Crest Road (now unofficially known as “the Crest Stress Test”).
With all its challenges the top finishers posted some impressive times. William Allen finished first with a time of 17 minutes and 59 seconds. The second-place finisher was Kevin O’Clair, who logged a time of 19 minutes and 28 seconds. The third-place finisher was Ryan Butler, whose time was 19 minutes and 36 seconds. Ali Glenesk was the race’s top female runner with a time of 24 minutes and 44 seconds.
One of the top finishers described the course as “fun but hard.”
In addition to the Dares Beach Civic Association, the Daring the Blaze 5K was sponsored by two Prince Frederick businesses—Brick Wood-Fired Bistro and Rita’s.
Wood told TheBayNet.com that he would like to make the race an annual event. He said that decision will be up to the community.
PHOTO GALLERY
For post-race information visit the Daring the Blaze 5K Facebook page.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com