Milford High School Cross Country

After seasons of running just for fun, Ol' Bloom has decided to step it up a notch and run . . . for money. That's right... I'm going pro... If you want me to run at your race -- gotta pay out the appearance fees. . . . Yeah, right. :) At any rate, the Memorial Day weekend proved quite prosperous as Bloom and Mighty Matt Lindell (Smyrna CC, Wesley CC alum turned CR assistant coach) teamed together for the first time to win the male relay division at the Kent Foot&Ankle Family Frolic Biathlon in Smyrna Saturday. The duo ran a solid 1:25:03 -- just seconds behind the overall winner -- yet good enough for a $50 cash prize. :) Lindell got a good start (sub-19s) placing fourth in the opening 5K, just a few ticks behind the leader, while Bloomie blazed around the 16.4-mile bike loop in about 46 minutes (21+ MPH average). Lindell secured the cash with a solid sub-20 finale. With burnt-toasted hammies from Saturday's surge, Bloomie still put forth a 21:18 (fastest Danielle 5K time ever) to survive Sunday's Strider Series race. Bloomie got to see numerous running friends keeping pace in the crowd of 225+ runners. Woodbridge CC alum Blazin' Breck Vanderwende made his first race of '03 and won the Bloomie age bracket, while CR alum Nike Nick Boggs placed in his. Of course, the Barr family -- Stuart and Emma running and Clare doing the walk -- showed their support as did MHSCC MVP alum Heather Rudd. Way to go!!! Congrats go out to John Yanacek who dropped his PR (19:25) once again and Tell Gwen Guerke who continues to be consistent. Seaford CC coach Rob Perciful finished the race, bad toe and all, and Lake CC alum Eric Payne surged to a Top 5 finish. Special Sauce Insider saw Cape CCer PJ Melendez zip by Ol' Bloom at the finish line. P.J.'s sis, Tiffany, scored the Danielle scholarship prize and cruised through the race after acting as the official starter. Lots of Cape CC alum showed up: Popovich, Morris, and others. Next race: Cape May Biathlon June 1 in Cape May, N.J.