Nearly 800 compete in Road Runners Club's annual Main Street Mile

Sherry Stick used to run the Main Street Mile in high school and college, but, with a job that required her to work late on Wednesday evenings, she hadn't been able to make it for several years.

Stick, an Eldersburg resident, just changed jobs, however, and was the first female finisher at Wednesday's race, completing the downhill course in 4 minutes, 52 seconds.

Nearly 800 runners, young and old, turned out to compete in the annual event hosted by the Westminster Road Runners Club, according to Beth Weisenborn, one of the race's organizers.

The race was divided into two heats: the first a competitive run and the second a fun run. More than 250 of the roughly 450 fun run participants were 10 years old or younger, Weisenborn said.

Donna and Tim Smith of Anne Arundel County brought their 5-year-old son Connor to the race. Tim Smith grew up in Westminster and ran the race as a child. Connor has been running it since he was 3.

"Every year, he betters his time," Donna Smith said of her son. "He feels really good about himself."

Child participants received medals, and Westminster East Middle School, the school with the greatest number of runners this year, will receive a cash donation toward its physical education program, Weisenborn said.

Westminster East Middle School boasted 48 participants, beating out the 42 runners from Spring Garden Elementary in Hampstead.

DYLAN SLAGLE/STAFF PHOTO Runners take off in the first heat of the 25th annual Main Street Mile in Westminster Wednesday evening. Hosted by the Westminster Road Runners Club, this one-mile race through downtown Westminster featured nearly 800 runners.

Runners celebrated after the race with ice cream sundaes at the Westminster fire company on John Street.

Many had competed for the first time.

Westminster resident Mike Ruby brought his 15-year-old son Matt Ruby to the race. It was Matt's first time participating, and he handily beat his father, finishing in 6:30. Mike Ruby said he crossed the line in 7:45.

"We'll come back next year," Mike Ruby said.

Carl Clark, also a first-time participant, took first place in the top heat, running 4:22. He said he moved to New Market just two months ago with his wife and 8-month old daughter and has plans to run several upcoming races, including a half-marathon in Indianapolis in May and the Army Ten-Miler in October.

"I came just to see where I was at today," Clark said. "My goal was between 4:25 and 4:30."

But for most competitors, the event was a chance to exercise with family members and socialize with friends.

Several members of the Westminster Lady Wolves age 9 and under soccer team celebrated beating their coach, Craig Weiss. The team ran in their matching red soccer jerseys, and one of the members was the first female finisher in the second heat, Weiss said.

Weisenborn said more than 200 runners registered in the last four days. Many likely saw the weather report and opted to sign up, she explained.

"It's a family event," Weisenborn said. "It's one of the unique runs in the area where the entire family can come out."

Westminster residents Erin Weeks and Becca Peak, both 12, ran together as their parents cheered from the sidelines. Becca, a fourth-time participant, said she enjoys running for the exercise, but the highlight for Erin came well after she had crossed the line.

"The ice cream," she said with a smile.

Reach staff writer Marjorie Censer at 410-857-7886 or mcenser@lcniofmd.com.