Author: Kevin Ford
Photos can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/iqYQpyWTwmpBLaip8
The Striders Racing Team was in Washington, D.C., over the weekend to compete individually and in the DMV Club Championship at the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler. This year, the team entered squads for the men’s and women’s categories and fared quite well against the best running clubs in the region.
The women, led by Hannah Betman, posted a very respectable fourth place finish just ahead of MCRRC and within shouting distance of The Dojo of Pain, who claimed 3rd overall. Hannah was 26th overall in the world-class field, posting a time of 58:16. The team’s depth was on display on Sunday, as Kiri Michell (62:57), Samantha Merkel (64:51, PR), Stephanie Reich (64:53), and Clare McCabe (67:39) arrived in close succession to round out ladies scorers. The fact that the team achieved this level of success even in the absence of its national-class masters runners bodes well for the future of the team.
Not to be outdone, the Striders men stepped up big time to reach fifth place in the DMV Championship competition. Clark Otte once again set the tone for the team, setting a club record of 50:30 for the ten mile distance and placing 47th among the men in a race brimming with professional athletes and nationally competitive amateurs. The men’s scorers were rounded out by Carlos Renjifo, who set the Racing Team master’s record in 54:47, Jason Sammut (55:24), Adam Sachs (55:28), and Kevin Ford (56:57). The men, like the women, placed first among Maryland-based teams in the DMV Championship.
Other highlights from Sunday include Jason Tripp, who claimed victory in an extremely competitive 50-54 age group with a 59:22, and the return of Paul Hugus, who missed considerable time due to several unfortunate injuries in 2024. Welcome back Paul!
Results
- Men’s DMV Championship – 5th place
- Women’s DMV Championship – 4th place
- Clark Otte- 50:30, 47th (24th AG), PR, RTR
- Carlos Renjifo- 54:47, 124th (7th AG), Masters RTR
- Jason Sammut- 55:24, 145th (63rd AG), PR
- Adam Sachs- 55:28, 149th (65th AG)
- Kevin Ford- 56:57, 202nd (19th AG)
- Alex Livernois- 57:39, 223rd (92nd AG)
- Hannah Betman- 58:16, 26th (9th AG)
- Paul Hugus- 58:37, 255th (19th AG)
- Jason Tripp- 59:22, 284th (1st AG)
- Jacob Englander-1:01:53, 414th (38th AG)
- Kiri Michell- 1:02:57, 90th (39th AG)
- Samantha Merkel- 1:04:51, 125th (53rd AG), PR
- Stephanie Reich- 1:04:53, 126th (29th AG)
- Clare McCabe- 1:07:39, 188th (78th AG)
Additional details and photos can be found on the Racing Team’s instagram page (www.instagram.com/
