20070430 Wagoner, Stick Capture Westminster Main Street Mil

Wagoner, Stick Capture Westminster Main Street Mile

By Dave Herlocker

April 30^th, 2007

For other past posts about the Westminster Annual Main Street Mile on “Soundtrack.”

Photo credit: Westminster Annual Main Street Mile April 18, 2007 Photo by Stan Ruchlewicz

Matthew Wagoner from neighboring Frederick County and Westminster Road Runner member Sherry Stick captured the men's and women's division of the 26th annual Main Street Mile, held on April 18 and sponsored by the Westminster Road Runners.

Because of the large crowds which have participated in recent years in the downhill run from the east ridge of Westminster to the library at the center of town, registration was halted at 700 this year, with approximately 275 being in the first, competitive heat and the remainder in the second heat, treated as an untimed fun run.

Wagoner, a teacher at Linganore High School just over the Frederick-Carroll county line, led the first wave of runners down the initial hill, and by the time he reached the half-mile point in 2:02, the only question was how large his winning margin would be.

Wagoner's winning time of 4:09 is the fastest time of the century, even though it is almost fifteen seconds slower than the course record, set by Todd Ashley in 1988. Trailing Wagoner by thirteen seconds was newly minted masters runner Doug Mock, who in younger days won this race in under four minutes. Considering that he recently suffered numerous injuries in a fall from a fast moving bicycle, his effort is to be commended.

Danny Fink nipped Remus Medley for third, and Nicholas Wilbur, a member of the McDaniel College track team, finished fifth. Finishing tenth was Shawn Pinamonti, winner of the race in 2001 and 2002.

Repeating her 2006 winning effort was Sherry Stick, who spent her college years at Salisbury University on Maryland's Eastern Shore running 800 and 1500 meter runs. Finishing fourteenth overall, Stick's time of 4:50 was one second faster than last year's winning time and also one second faster than her second place time in 2001.

Brittney Rooks, whose 4:57 time is only the second sub-five minute time recorded by a thirteen or under female, finished second, ahead of Becky Alwarez-Rhodes, who finished second last year. Another thirteen year old, Anna Rachel Demaree, finished fourth, one place better than last year, and Ashley Baker, a McDaniel College senior whose tennis season was sidelined by student teaching duties, finished fifth.

While race officials were sorting through finishing times, and finishers from the first heat were attacking ice cream, word was received from the course that a fun runner had collapsed just past the half-way point and was being treated by medics administering CPR.

To the distress of everyone, the runner--six year old Connor Smith, running with his mother and participating in his fourth Main Street Mile--could not be revived.

Doctors at nearby Carroll General Hospital later stated that he suffered from a rare and previously undiagnosed heart condition known as anomalous left coronary.

Ten days later, on a beautiful Saturday morning, a memorial service was held in Odenton, Maryland, at Connor's home church. In a church filled with family and friends and adorned with flowers, toys, and pictures, Connor was lauded as an intelligent and active child, who treasured the medals he received in the Main Street Mile and who had trained prior to the race. His parents have allowed the Westminster Road Runners to post a picture on Connor, wearing his 2006 Main Street Mile shirt, on the club's web site (www.carr.org/~wrrc).

Contributions may be made to the Connor Smith Memorial Fund at the Dayton Oaks Elementary School, 4691 Ten Oaks Road, Dayton, MD, 21036. Monies received will be used to purchase books for the library on subjects that Connor loved.