With rain all around the area, Bob Marchinko cruised a challenging 3.1 mile course in 16 minutes and 11 seconds to win the inaugural Lazy 5 Vets Millbridge Elementary 5K on Saturday morning.
Marchinko, a physical education teacher for Rowan-Salisbury Schools, works one day a week at Millbridge.
“I loved the course and the organization, especially for a first-time race,” he said. “That hill on Brown Road was a gut check, but I like races that have a challenging portion.”
Robert Miller was second in 16:53 and Josh Readling was third in 18:16. All are from Salisbury.
On the women’s side, Rebecca Julian easily paced the field with a time of 20 minutes and 47 seconds. Julian is a former state champion and collegiate runner, and also is co-owner of the Lazy 5 Vets. Meredith Abramson was second in 21:37 and Claire Watts was third in 22:20. All are also from Salisbury.
Watts, a media specialist at Millbridge Elementary, was also the race director.
“Everything went really well. It was touch and go with the weather, but it never rained a drop during either race,” she said. “Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and staff who helped.”
Principal David Miller clocked a 28:16 for the 5K course before encouraging age 12 and under racers at the start of the half-mile fun run. Katelyn Hobday won the fun run in 3 minutes and 21 seconds, followed by Ethan Bancroft in 3:23 and Patrick Holden in 3:28.
Sponsors in addition to title sponsor Lazy 5 Vets were Concord Printing, Concord Trophy Center, LL Goodnight and Sons Inc., Patterson Farms, Price Pharmacy, Sudden Impact and No Pet Left Behind.
Go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org for complete results.