Photo above is of the men's start by Laurie Harow. Benkert photo is by Harow. Other photos are by James Moreland.

Frederick, MD goes all out every first Saturday in October. The town comes "Out in the Street." That street is Market Street, the main drag through this growing town. The day starts with multiple heats of the mile run point to point from the YMCA just outside the business district. The course starts down for a quarter and then up for a quarter. After that, there is a lazy turn down past all the shops and restaurants to the clock at the bottom of the hill. Scores of stands have been set up from promoting agendas both political and social. Perhaps most important, there are lots of fine foods stands too. The little town feel is there with quaint shops and the narrow street is busy with hundreds of onlookers. At least three bands set up offering both country and rock.

Usually the weather is sunny and warm and everyone spends a good part of the milling around like tourists. This year we got a cold snap and the rains came. They teased us by stopping just before the race got underway. Then after race starter Joe Myers got the first heat underway, the skies opened up with fifty degree liquid joy for all. Race director and Frederick Steeplechaser's President Paul Spurrier [photo above] was not delighted by the weather but he is always up beat.

The second heat was all of the women. Sherry Stick of Eldersburg, MD was one of the favorites but there was a thoroughbred in the lineup. Stick was advised to "go with her, go out strong." She did but her fine 5:14 was to no avail. Young Neketa Green blasted an excellent 4:56 that with a little more pressure might have approached the course record of 4:50 set by Cassie O'Neill in 1990. Maria Spinnler (44) of Hagerstown, MD [in photo] was the third woman but took the top masters prize, $100. She is used to having her way here. In 2002, she set the course masters record beating all the women in 5:20. The next year she aced everyone again in 5:29. In 2004, Stick nudged her back to second overall by a second in 5:23. Last year, Green held her at second 5:13 to 5:22.

This year the race is part of the RRCA State Championship Series and second master, fifth overall Amelia Ingersoll of Columbia, MD has been rampaging through that series, running every race and building an insurmountable lead. Dee Nelson (63) of Gaithersburg, MD ran her fifty-first race of the year in a swift 6:49. Meanwhile, Tami Graf (70) of Lusby, MD has been rewriting the record books with a swift 7:52.

Last year's overall winner Joseph Daniels of Suitland, MD 4:34 was due to turn forty and maybe earn the $150 bonus by taking out Steve Ruckert's 4:27 masters record. Perhaps the rains kept him away. As usual, this race draws a tough masters field. Carl Clark (42) of New Market, MD [photo left] had run the admittedly downhill Main Street Mile in April with a scintillating 4:13. Steve Nearman of Alexandria, VA at 46 is still ready, even eager to take on all comers with a 4:41 best on the track this year. Curtis Southern (46) had won the masters in 2004 ahead of Nearman's 4:48 by five seconds. This year it was Nearman with 4:44, right on the heels of master champion Clark in 4:42, that ousted Southern (4:54). John Piggott of Williamsburg, VA, perhaps best known for his half and full marathon wins, came north to warm up for next week's Baltimore, MD. His swift 4:47 proved he has jets as well as marvelous endurance.

In the open division Richard Smith took the early lead with Tim McNeil and Brian Markley "Elmered" nearby. Young Markley (21) put on his patented kick inherited from his Dad, Tony, a national class age group sprinter at fifty. Joyfully Markley squeezed by at the end winning by a second in 4:23. McNeil finished in 4:29. In the over fifty crowd, Kirk Gordon (50) of Mitchellville had it all to himself coasting to a 5:43 win. With lots of practice, nearly 100 races run this year, he just keeps getting better. The next runner was the oft times injured John Benkert (66) of Pasadena, MD [photo left] was next running a swift 5:59. He was spurred on chasing his son and making sure he at least stayed ahead of me. Richard Buhrman (58) of Frederick, MD followed suit passing me in the final ten meters and winning the 55-59 division in 6:04.

The rain made scoring the race with smeared race bibs harder to score. Below are the unofficial award winners. The official results will follow soon.

Second in the 40-44 age group, John Way of Gaithersburg, MD (5:34) comes prepared for the rain.

Men's Awards

Overall	
Brian Markley	4:23
Richard Smith 	4:24
Tim Oneil	4:29
	
Master	
Carl Clark	4:42
14-24	
Roy Jenkins	4:47
25-29	
Larry O'Hara	4:46
30-34	
Michael Madrake	5:51
35-39	
Victor Cetella	4:55
40-44	
John Piggott	4:47
45-49	
Steve Nearman	4:44
50-54	
Kirk Gordon	5:43
55-59	
Richard Buhrman	6:04
60-69	
John Benkert	5:59
70-79	
Don Kohler	6:59

Women's winner Neketa Green (4:56) receives her $100 cash prize from race official George Waxter.

Women's Awards

Overall	
Neketa Green	4:56
Sherry Stick	5:14
Nina Badell	5:48
	
Master	
Maria Spinnler	5:25
14-24	
Ayla Badell	6:43
25-29	
	
30-34	
	
35-39	
	
40-44	
Amelia Ingersoll 5:49
45-49	
	
50-54	
Marsha Remsburg	7:52
55-59	
Olga Schrichte	9:14
60-69	
Dee Nelson	6:49
70-79	
Tami Graf	7:52

Full race results coming soon.