Lerew And Long Win Des Moines 5k

04/09/2024

Silver online presents

The Des Moines Creek ParkRun # 233

by Jerry Dietrich
with photos by Bruce Fisher

3/30/24 – Des Moines
Keith Lerew, age 65, dominated the younger runners as he flew down the return portion of the ParkRun, to finish first overall in 20:32. Heidi Long, age 52, delivered the ‘Coup de’ Grace’* by finishing first among the women in 25:53. It was the first time in our history that both a male and female Silver Strider finished first overall in a Series race.

Heidi, had a close race with 40 year old Estrellita Vllasenor, prevailing by only 3 seconds. Heidi is the daughter of Judy Fisher. Judy finished 1st in the woman’s 80-84 age group and 5th overall among the women. Heidi’s father is Bruce Fisher, the Silver Strider photographer. Heidi has worked on Silver Strider projects, like our parties, for several years and is well known among our group. It gives me great pleasure to welcome her to the Silver Strider Grand Prix Series.

Kent Sizer who is on the wrong end of his age group at 69, did a nice job of finishing 2nd M65-69, to Lerew in 22:58. Kent finished 4th overall.

Kent Sizer

Steve Husko won his age group and continues to lead the men’s Achievement Award competition for “First man to reach 80 pts”. Steve has six 10’s.
Judy Fisher also has six 10’s to lead the women’s competition.

Steve Husko xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Judy Fisher

Leading the competition for “The biggest increase in number of races finished over last year” are, Audrey Kirkwood (-3) and Brent White also (-3).

John Phillips at age 80, held off two 60 year olds, Phil Sturholm and Brent White, by a few seconds, while winning his age group. He presently has four 10’s in four races so far this year.

Before the start, disaster struck as Bruce Fisher gathered Silver Striders for the group photo. He found his camera was broken and he was forced to take all the photos with his cell phone. After taking the group photo, Bruce positioned himself on the course to take photos of the runners on their way out and coming back in at the finish. I thought he did a heck of a job.

The out and back course is popular with runners because of the elevation gain and loss. A gradual uphill climb to the turnaround is rewarded with a gradual downhill return. The downhill is not too steep to make control a problem, but still downhill enough to really turn it on.

Congratulations to Keith and Heidi.

Coming up soon are the toughest and the fastest 10k races all year. The Rhody run on May 19th is a challenging course featuring hills worthy of our 10k Championship. It will be followed by the flattest and fastest 10k of the year at Fall City. The 5k is also very fast but second to the Independence Day 5k in July.

*Coup de grace (koo-de-grahs) A final blow

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Here are Bruce Fisher’s photos using his cell phone.

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