Cooler temps greet runners

runner. This course is not a straight out and back speed run on flat asphalt.

This was the 38th year of the race, and it was featured as a Grand Prix event for the Road Runners Club of America statewide Grand Prix Series. As was the case for ES6, the weather was unusual this year with the expected humidity and heat giving way to lower temperatures and rain. Despite slippery conditions, the race was decided by six seconds. Andrew Madison, 33, was running for the Howard County Striders and finished in 30:09 (6:04.1 mile) to best Scott Koehler, 37, running for the Annapolis Striders. Koehler finished in 30:15 (6:05.3 mile).

Charlie Epperson, 44, was also running for the Annapolis Striders and finished in third place at 30:19 (6:06 mile).

Nicole Dawson, 26, was running for the Annapolis Striders and took first place in the female division (20th overall) with a time of 35:50 (7:12 mile). The master winners (over 40 division) were Gene Severtson (31:18, 5th overall) and Jill Snyder (42:39) — both wellknown Annapolis runners who continue to compete at high levels year after year.

Speaking of Severtson, the 45-year-old graduate of the United States Naval Academy qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii at the Ironman Lake Placid, which was held on July 25.

Severtson finished the 2.4-mile swim in 1:10:02, the 112-mile bike ride in 5:37:47 and a gritty 26.2-mile run in 4:14:33 for an overall time of 11:16:07. He took 15th in his division and 174th overall, humbly noting that

“no matter how hard you prepare” a race is “never easy.” The athletic achievements are strong in the Severtson family. Stacey Severtson, Gene’s spouse, is the head track and field coach at Crofton High School who coached several athletes to county, region, and state podium finishes, including the South River High School boys winning of the 2020 4A Region Indoor Track Championships. Gene serves in the role of assistant coach.

Gene qualifying for the Ironman World Championship is the culmination of many years of hard work and sacrifice, for which full congratulations are in order. Reaching Kona is the goal of many a triathlete.

(All subject to government approval and compliance with COVID-19 restrictions)

Sept. 19: Run for the Lighthouse, Sept. 11-19, 2021 (live), Quiet Waters Park, Information: https://www.annapolisrunforthelighthouse.org

Sept. 19: 9/11 Heroes Run (live, 2 p.m.), Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Information: 911heroesrun.org/Annapolis

Sept. 25: Susquehanna River Running Festival (2 p.m.), Havre de Grace. Information: https://www.srrf.org

Sept. 26: Bay Bridge Paddle, Sandy Point State Park. Information: http://abceventsinc. com/bay-bridge-paddle/

Sept. 25-26: Naptown Half Marathon (virtual), 10K, 5K. Information: https:// www.naptownrun.com/Race/MD/USA/ NaptownHalfMarathon10K

Oct. 3: Metric Marathon (8 a.m.), Harwood. Information: www.annapolisstriders.org

Oct. 31: Bay Bridge Run/ Walk 10K. Information: https://www.thebaybridgerun.com.