Ready to run! Delphi Diamond Dash participants lined up for the 5k run/walk on Sept. 18. The three mile course began and ended on South Washington Street. Top overall finisher was Parker Jones from Kokomo with a winning time of 17:10. The event benefited the Delphi Preservation Society for a new roof on the Delphi Opera House. Comet photo by Abbey Blackburn The Inaugural Delphi Diamond Dash 5K Run/Walk was held in downtown Delphi on Saturday with perfect weather conditions. The event was hosted by the Delphi Preservation Society with the support of many sponsoring organizations, including the Delphi Lions Club which prepared a sausage and pancake breakfast for the runners and the public.

Delphi native Joe LePage started the race at a little after 8:30 a.m. from the balcony of the Delphi Opera House.

The top male finisher overall was Parker Jones, Kokomo, with a winning time of 17:10. Placing second overall was Eric Pennington at 17:26. Crossing third in the male overall was Denny Priest with a time of 18:35.

Grand prize Fielding’s Jewelry & Time donated the grand prize for the Delphi Diamond Dash, a diamond necklace. The first annual event was sponsored by the Delphi Preservation Society as a fundraiser for a new roof. k. Weatherwax Photography The top female finisher was Kelcey Carlson, Raleigh, NC, with a time of 21:47. Finishing second was Brittani Gillem at 23:32 followed by Janie Hooker at 24:12.

In the Male 40 & Over category, Gary Pearson was the first-place finisher with a winning time of 22:29. Stan Virkler finished second with a time of 22:37 followed by Brian Raub at 23:36.

In the Female 40 & Over category the winner was Sara Daly Brosman with a time of 28:58. Robin Allbaugh at 29:15 with Marva Pearson at 29:21 both finished in second and Seaneen Greer was third at 30:36.00.

Diamond Dash grandstand Delphi Preservation Society was the sponsor and host of the first Delphi 5K run/walk fundraiser Saturday morning. Proceeds will be used to replace the Delphi Opera House roof. Kelcey Carlson, daughter of run organizer Karyl Traeger, served as announcer for the race as Mayor Randy Strasser watched and cheered racers from the balcony of the Opera House. Comet photo by Abbey Blackburn The winning team was EZduzit with runners Travis Curts, Kyle Groninger, Joan Abbott, Hannah Mears, and Kyle Allbaugh.

Placing second among the teams was the Fab 5 with Jeff Early, Aaron VanSchyndel, Lindsey Payne, Anne Dare, and Jen Burks. The third place team was the Racers with members Dawn Patterson, Morgan Dominques, Connie Snider, Jonathan Langstaff, and April Swick.

Five kids entered the Kids One-Mile Fun Run and all were winners. Noah Abbott crossed the finish line first with a time of 08:49 followed by Mia Abbott at 10:05; Tristin Delaney at 10:22; Ellah Abbott at 10:40; and Lukas LePage 12:18.

Run/walk course Delphi’s historic area was used for much of the course for Saturday’s Delphi Diamond Dash 5K Run/Walk. This tree-lined street provided a nice canopy of shade for runners. k. Weatherwax Photography Engraved, diamond paperweight awards were presented to the top finishers at 10:15 by Karyl Traeger, DPS member and organizer of the Delphi Diamond Dash.

The grand prize drawing took place at 10:30 a.m. with Gerald Fielding doing the honors. Owner of Fielding’s Jewelry & Time, Fielding donated the diamond necklace that was won by Delphi resident Gail Peterson.
They’re off! Five kids participated in the Diamond Dash Kids One-Mile Fun Run. They were all prize winners. k. Weatherwax Photography