20010412 Westminter Road Runners Club Annual Main Street Mile

A soggy Mile on Main Street

By: Kevin Spradlin, Times Staff Writer

April 12, 2001

When Shawn Pinamonti registered for the Main Street Mile, he knew he would be able to run a fast mile.

He just didn't know how fast.

Pinamonti was the first of 476 runners to cross the finish line of the Westminster Road Runners Club-sponsored race. He clocked a time of 4 minutes, 11.8 seconds Wednesday for the win.

Tristan Gilbert, a 2000 graduate of Westminster High, was second in 4:14.9. He was followed by 22-year-old Brendan Henderson. Howard Courtland, 46, took the masters title with a time of 4:46.

"I didn't really know what to expect," said Pinamonti, of Towson. "I knew I'd be up near the front. I was hoping to be first but I didn't know what anyone else would run."

Pinamonti wasn't too familiar with the layout of the race, but he wasn't too uncomfortable, either.

"I just moved to Maryland about a year ago," he said. "I heard about this race being a quick mile. But I'm a mile runner. This is my type of race."

Eldersburg's Rachel Hawes became the youngest two-time winner in race history. She was the first female finisher with a time of 4:50.3, edging runner-up Sherry Esposito by .7 seconds. North Carroll High distance standout Colleen Lawson came in third at 5:06 and Kim Keller won the masters division in 6:13.9.

Hawes has some experience in running. The two-time AAU champion in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs said she just runs for the enjoyment of the sport.

"I like running," said Hawes, 13, who also won last year's race. "I've been running since I was in second grade. It's fun. I like being in shape."

Other noteworthy finishers included Cheryl Williams (5:16), Amy King (5:17) and Tarynn Baker (5:18), who together swept the women's 16-19 age group. All three runners perform for the North Carroll track team. Bill Osburn was the oldest finisher with a 7:35.

Unlike in years past, the weather held off - somewhat.

"We would've had over 500 finishers if it had been sunny, but this isn't the worst year we've ever had," said race director Liuda Galinaitis. "A few years ago a storm hit just as the race started."

To make matters worse, the race wasn't as organized as it is today.

"We had used index cards to put on the runners' shirts. We couldn't read the names of anyone. We had no age groups that year."

But Galinaitis makes no apologies.

"I wasn't race director then," she quipped, "so you can't blame me."

Men's Open:

1. Shawn Pinamonti, 4:11.8;

2. Tristan Gilbert, 4:14.9;

3. Brendan Henderson, 4:24.2.

11-12: 1. Derek Woelfel, 5:15.5; 2. Justin May-West, 5:32.1.

13-15: 1. Dan Reedy, 4:33; 2. Tony Morris, 4:49.4; 3. Joe Taylor, 4:52.4.

16-19: 1. James Potter, 4:36.7; 2. Danny Sugars, 4:39.1; 3. Ron Shriver, 4:40.4.

20-29: 1. David Herdrix, 4:49.7; 2. David Cox, 5:06.9; 3. Michael Habenthal, 5:12.4.

30-39: 1. Ted Poulos, 4:38; 2. Pete Comis, 4:49; 3. Eric Maggio, 5:06.4.

40-49: 1. Greg Nelson, 4:48.2. 2. Mark Casteel, 4:50.8; 3. Paul Denz, 4:57.

50-59: 1. Ronnie Wong, 5:10.4; 2. Jim Knight, 5:13.9; 3. Eric Gyaki, 5:14.2.

60-69: 1. John Benket, 5:14.7; 2. Jim Turner, 6:49.6; 3. Paul Hocheder, 9:35.2.

70-79: 1. Bill Osburn, 7:35.7.

Women's Open: 1. Rachel Hawes, 4:50.3; 2. Sherry Esposito, 4:51; 3. Colleen Lawson, 5:06.1.

11-12: 1. Kathleen Hertsh, 5:19.7; 2. Tracy Armitage, 5:55.5; 3. Emily Fisher, 6:22.7.

13-15: 1. Allie Armitage, 5:21.3; 2. Maggie Rager, 5:36.5; 3. Anna Novak, 5:44.4.

16-19: 1. Cheryl Williams, 5:16.3; 2. Amy King, 5:17.7; 3. Tarynn Baker, 5:18.2.

20-29: 1. Dwan Gilmore, 5:53; 2. Terry Bosley 6:33.9; 3. Sue Werley, 6:48.

30-39: 1. Laura Brecheen, 6:17.6; 2. Carol Passmore, 6:18.6; 3. Laura Beck, 6:33.2.

40-49: 1. Debbie Frazier, 7:59.3; 2. Debbie Watenman, 7:59.3; 3. Susan Kron, 8:19.8.

50-59: 1. Dee Nelson, 6:37.4; 2. Irene Valeo, 6:39; 3. Ellen Hocheden, 7:42.7.

60-69: 1. Rose Ann Sautor, 13:15.8; 2. Bunny Pucci, 13:28.

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