5 Years of the New Dawn 2 Dusk - May 12th-13th, 2018

5 Years of the New Dawn 2 Dusk - May 12th-13th, 2018

by Josh Irvan: Co-Race Director

When race directors plan a race, they usually sit down and spend a lot of time planning, how to structure their event. Once they are done planning they execute the plan. After the race is over, the directors reevaluate how the event went, get feedback from runners and crew and then try and improve and tweak the race for the following year. Bill and I have been going through this process now for 5 years. 

Steve Speirs & Gene Dykes lead the way.

When we first started, we wanted to put all of the things into our race that we liked from other races and this turned out pretty well. This family friendly event is our way of giving back to the running community that we both have been apart of for many years.  Runners come to us not just to set records or to compete. Runners come here because they want to be apart of something special. Once a runner has run with us once they are forever part of the “D3 Family” and are always welcome here at the Knights Track and Field complex.

On Friday night we tried something new. At the race hotel we had 5 elite ultra-runner participate in a live streamed panel discussion that was broad cast live on Facebook and the internet. The panel consisted of Tara Langdon, Maggie Guterl, Gene Dykes, David Johnston, and Dennene Huntley.  This discussion was hosted by Bill Schultz, the Co-Race Director, and expertly moderated by our timer Mike Melton. The discussion ran about an hour as runners ate dinner. The panel answered an array of questions about their own running careers, training advice and a host of other topics.

This year was another mix bag of weather. The morning started off with rain prior to the start of the race which lead to humid and cloudy conditions early on.  At 7AM the 24 hour race began.  This years race was packed with top quality talent in both the men’s and women’s field.  Joshua Finger, Tara Langdon, Steve Speirs, and Maggie Guterl set the pace early.

Joshua Finger in the zone.

At the 9 o’clock hour Earl Edwards, our USATF official, continued his race starting duties by setting the 50K runners loose upon the track.  Mike Daigeaun and Sue Irvan took the early lead followed by Eric Mundy, Yoshiko Jo and a host of others. Temperatures in the morning stayed on the cooler side, but by the time the afternoon came the heat was on. By 5pm the humidity and heat took it toll on many runner. Dehydration effected most of the 24 hour field. 

In the 50K Mike Daigeaun, (38) from Philadelphia, PA kept up his blistering pace winning outright in 3:38:45. Joshua Harriman, (46) from Annapolis, Maryland, took the male runner-up position and 3rd over all with 4:37:42. Sue Irvan and Yoshiko Jo battled back and forth for hours swapping out the lead on and off throughout the morning and early afternoon. Yoshiko Jo (53), from Swarthmore, PA and representing Japan placed 2nd overall and 1st woman in a time of 4:31:23. She also won the Delco RRC 50K Championship. Sue Irvan (43), from Downingtown, PA placed 4th overall and 2nd woman in a time of 4:40:59. Sue was the runner-up for the Delco RRC 50K Championship.

Eric Mundy (37), from Springfield, PA won the Delco RRC 50K Championship for the men in a time of 4:43:14, followed by runner-up Gregory Milbourne (50), from Swarthmore, PA in a time of 5:21:32. Greg was also an event sponsor this year. Thanks Greg for your support!

Once the 12 hour race started at 7pm many 24 hour runners started to slow and some dropped out.  Pennsylvania humidity can sneak up on a runner and really have a negative impact on performance if the runner doesn’t stay up on their hydration and salt intake. By now Steve Spiers and Padraig Mullins looked like they where teaching a European Masters Class in running in we and humid conditions trading the lead every few laps. Emily Collins and Janet Smith-McGurk kept and even pace and looked smooth and under control up to this point. 

The 12 hour field also had a whose who of runners. Tracy Falbo, Deb Horn, Maria Shield, Juli Aistars and Brian Teason to name a few. Perry Rapp, a former D3 50K winner, moved up to the 12 hour to test new territory for this year. During the evening hours the rains and thunderstorms returned causing havoc with canopies and runners alike. No where near as bad as the previous year this weather really tested the runners fortitude.  With the runners now soaking wet and the temperatures dropping hypothermia was the new foe that began laying waist to more runner performances. 

Emily Collins

After an evening of rain and runners dropping do to cold and wet weather, those who preserved through the night came out on top. In the 12 hour race Debra Horn (59), from Shaker Heights, Ohio came out on top winning overall with a distance of 65.7293 miles. Tracy Falbo (46), from Jefferson, Indiana came in 2nd overall with a distance of 62.1371 miles. It was a Maryland State battle between 2 men. Perry Rapp (53), from Lexington Park Maryland ran strong dueling Mike Senko (40), from Havre de Grace, Maryland. Perry took the men’s win with a distance of 57.001 miles and Mike took the runner-up position with a distance of 55.4263 miles. 

In the 24 hour race Padraig Mullins (36), from Cambridge, MA, and representing Ireland took the win overall after dealing with the extreme humid, and wet conditions. Mullins total distance was 132.7159 miles.  Adrian Stanciu (48), from Manitou Springs, CO finished second overall with a distance of 116.5692 miles. In the woman’s race Emily Collins (39), from Akron, Ohio held off Janet Smith-McGurk (45), from Drexel Hill, PA, for the win. Emily placed 1st woman and 3rd overall with a distance of 113.3381 miles. Janet placed 4th overall and 2nd woman with a distance of 110.5951 miles.

On a special note Gene Dykes (70), from Bala Cynwyd, PA continued his onslaught on various National Age Group Records during his 24 hour race. Gene set records in the 50K - 4:38:03, 50 mile - 8:25:24, 12 hour - 64.7 miles and 100K - 11:20: 41. Congratulations Gene!

Pennsylvania State Age Records where also set by a number of folks on the track this year. Here is the break down:

Yoshiko Jo and Mike Daigeaun, Winners of the 50K
with Co-Rd: Bill Schultz

Sue Irvan (43) Downingtown, PA (50K - 4:40:59)

Yoshiko Jo (53) Swarthmore, PA (50K - 4:31:23)

Gene Dykes (70) Bala Cynwyd, PA (50K - 4:38:03)

Al Emma (77) Exton, PA (50K - 8:41:10.3)

Gene Dykes (70) Bala Cynwyd, PA (50 Mile - 8:25:23.6)

Janet Smith-McGurk (45) Drexel Hill, PA (100K - 12:17:04

Lisa Georgis (49) New Ringgold, PA (100K - 12:43:09.3

Gene Dykes (70) Bala Cynwyd, PA (100K - 11:20:40.9)

Janet Smith-McGurk (45) Drexel Hill, PA (100 Mile - 21:43:06)

Janet Smith-McGurk (45) Drexel Hill, PA (24 Hour - 110.59 Miles)

Kristen Varley (53) Glen Mills, PA (24 Hour - 83.5123 Miles)

Gene Dykes (70) Bala Cynwyd, PA (24 Hour 69.0965 Miles)

Co-Rd: Josh Irvan with 24 hour
winner Emily Collins

After the race was over, the runners had the awards ceremony. New to this years race was Dawn 2 Dusk wine for the winners and belt buckles to anyone who went over 100 miles. This year we had 10 runners achieve that standard. With another positive ending to this years race, Bill and I feel we have helped elevate our sport of ultra-running and shown how great this sport can truly be. From runners setting records, to crews supporting their athletes, it was exciting to see everyone work together to accomplish their goals.

Thank you to all runners, crews, friends and family for coming and being apart of D3 this year. The D3 Family welcomes you all into the fold and we celebrate your achievements and continued friendship. Happy Running! 

Special thanks to the Valley Forge Military Academy Cadets who volunteered their time to help all the runners during our event.  This is Cadet Joshua Crisler 4th consecutive year volunteering his time at our event. To my calculations he has dedicated 120 hours helping in the kitchen, working the leader board and breaking down our event each year. He will be graduating May 24th and we wish him well on his future endeavors.