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Cocchiaro and Ardanuy Win 2023 Celtic Solstice

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By Clay Shaw
Photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell

12.16.23 Baltimore, MD—Jeremy Ardanuy of Baltimore continues to win on the roads of Baltimore.  With two Baltimore Marathon victories and many other races, Ardanuy added a Celtic Solstice victory in 25:19. The 5-mile course is held entirely in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore and you may have noticed “hill” is aptly named.

Hannah Cocchairo of Baltimore, also a frequent winner of Maryland races, won in 28:20.  Laura Paulsen of Minneapolis, MN was second in 28:28.  Julia Roman-Duval of Columbia, also a two-time Baltimore Marathon champion, was third and top master in 29:41.  Joy Lewis of Columbia, MD looking very Christmas-y was fourth in 30:14.  Mary Reiser of Baltimore was fifth in 30:47.

James Heilman of Lutherville was second in 25:50. Joshua Derrick of Baltimore was third in 26:28.  Carlos Renjifo of Fulton, MD was fourth and top master in 27:15.  Mark Eagles of Odenton, MD was fifth in 28:04.

Mark Neff, 61, of Derwood, MD was 29th overall in 30:51 to win the grand masters award, as did Eliza Greer of Baltimore, 53, of Baltimore who ran 36:35.

While the front of the races was populated by serious runners looking for solid times and placements, most of the 2617 finishers, came for the Christmas environment, the Celtic Solstice theme, the wine, the cookies, the Irish Wolfhounds, the Celtic band, and the comraderies associated with this long-time running event.  The premium jacket was a huge draw and success; the runners were pleased.

Race founders Jim Adams and Karen Menge have since moved to Southern California (lucky them) and have passed the race on to Corrigan Sports Enterprises.  It was good to see Jim and Karen fly in to be a part of this end of the season race.

Top Women

  1.  28:20 Hannah Cocchiaro, 32, Baltimore, MD
  2. 28:28 Laura Paulsen, 34, Minneapolis, MN
  3. 29:41 Julia Roman-Duval, 41, Columbia, MD
  4. 30:14 Joy Lewis, 39, Columbia, MD
  5. 30:47 Mary Reiser, 29, Baltimore, MD
  6. 30:58 Frances Markowitz, 37, Columbia, MD
  7. 32:20 Samantha Merkel, 26, Laurel, MD
  8. 32:34 Linda Spooner, 49, Sturbridge, MA
  9. 32:40 Robin Watkins, 40, Washington, DC
  10. 32:40 Beth Blendell, Middletown, RI
  11. 33:19 Callie Ferguson, 30, Lutherville, MD
  12. 33:23 Sarah Biron, 31, Baltimore, MD
  13. 33:28 Sherry Stick, 45, Sykesville, MD
  14. 33:41 Leah Navarro, 14, Seven Valleys, PA
  15. 33:49 Courtney Wallace, 26, Baltimore, MD

Top Men

  1. 25:19 Jeremy Ardanuy, 30, Baltimore, MD
  2. 25:50 James Heilman, 28, Lutherville, MD
  3. 26:28 Joshua Derrick, 26, Baltimore, MD
  4. 27:15 Carlos Renjifo, 41, Fulton, MD
  5. 28:04 Mark Eagles, 30, Odenton, MD
  6. 28:15 Alexander Buchholz, 26, Gambrills, MD
  7. 28:20 Zachary Simmons, 29, Lancaster, PA
  8. 28:31 Arthur Leathers, 33, Walkersville, MD
  9. 28:37 Zach Kaminski, 31, Baltimore, MD
  10. 28:37 Benjamin Adams, 38, Ellicott City, MD
  11. 28:51 Theodore Brown, 16, Baltimore, MD
  12. 28:56 Jason Farber, 39, Baltimore, MD
  13. 29:04 John Ford, 32, Phoenix, MD
  14. 29:09 Jonathan Cheng, 40, Baltimore, MD
  15. 29:34 Danny Muehlschlegel, 49, Baltimore, MD
Irish Wolfhounds and bagpiper Jim Waller lead the 2617 runner field to the start of the 2023 Celtic Solstice 5 Miler.
Mary Reiser of Baltimore leads the women at the start of the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler. Laura Paulsen of Minneapolis, Hannah Cocchiaro, and Julia Roman-Duval all in the mix, as is John Ford, decked out in green.
James Heilman, and Jeremy Ardanuy lead the 2617 runner field through the hills of Druid Hill Park in Baltimore.
Celtic Solstice 2023 lead women Hannah Cocchiaro (left), Julia Roman-Duval (shades), and Joy Lewis (in red) early in the race.
Festive participants Jake Gelfand and Cara Vandemeulebroecke of Millersville, MD.
Hannah Cocchiaro of Baltimore is first woman in 28:20. Zachary Simmons of Lancaster, PA also ran 28:20 and was seventh in the men’s field.
Hannah Cocchiaro of Baltimore wins the Celtic Solstice 5 miler in 28:20.
Jeremy Ardanuy of Baltimore wins the 2023 Celtic Solstice 5 Miler in 25:19.
Laura Paulsen of Minneapolis, MN was second in 28:28.
James Heilman of Lutherville-Timonium, MD finished second in the Celtic Solstice 5 miler in 25:50.
Julia Roman-Duval of Columbia, MD was third overall and top master in 29:41.
Celtic Solstice 5 miler top three, James Heilman 2nd, Jeremy Ardanuy lst, and Joshua Derrick third.
Brendan Lilley of Baltimore was 20th in 30:06.
Robin Watkins #7652 of Washington, DC and Beth Blendell #7568 of Middletown, RI were 9th and 10th in 32:40. Luke Smith of Parkville, MD and the Faster Bastards, and youngster Jeffrey Weaver of Ellicott City, join the fun.
Peter Jackson of Baltimore was a very fast Santa, placing 22nd in 30:19.
Qiang Tran of Ellicott City was 33rd in 31:47.
Linda Spooner of Sturbridge, MA was eighth overall in 32:34. She was awarded first master award, as Roman-Duval was third overall.
Shawn Pinamonti of Middle River, MD was 45th in 32:53. Shawn is one of four participants who have done every Celtic Solstice event.
Callie Ferguson of Lutherville, MD was 11th in 33:19.
Sherry Stick of Sykesville, MD was 13th in 33:28.
Leah Navarro of Seven Valleys, PA was 14th in 33:41. In September Leah won the York White Rose 5 Miler.
Zoé Fortier of Elkridge, MD passes the zoo sign on her way to 34:25 and 19th place.
Xi Yang of Clarksville, MD was 22nd in 34:49. Howard County Striders vest over Christmas PJ’s :).
Kayode Adigun of Baltimore, MD ran 36:31.
Deb Hicks of Catonsville, MD was 36th in 36:52.
Teresa Wojtasiewicz of Baltimore, the “Running Angel” ran 38:36.
Khalilah Imperatice of Hanover, MD, looking festive, enjoys the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler.
Bram Arrington of Ellicott City and Jennifer Dustin of Severna Park, MD extend Christmas cheer in the Celtic Solstice 5 miler.
Jumpers! Nathan and Ashley Roe of Catonsville, MD get extra points for synchronized jumping. Maggie Stein, also of Catonsville, stayed in run mode.
Barry Vaughn of Baltimore races with Christmas sweater.
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