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Betman and Sachs Win 2024 Celtic Solstice 5 Miler

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By Clay Shaw
Photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell

12.14.24 Baltimore, MD; 25th Celtic Solstice 5 Miler—Hannah Betman of Baltimore won the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler for the third time. Her winning time of 28:52 was only bettered by four men.  She also won in 2021 and 2023.  Betman recently ran the New York City Marathon in 2:44:43.

Adam Sachs of Catonsville, MD, representing the Howard County Striders, toured the Druid Hill Park course in winning fashion, winning the Celtic in 27:30. Theodore Brown, 17, of Baltimore was second overall in 28:17.  Daniel Schofield of Baltimore was third in 28:34.  Jason Farber of Baltimore was fifth overall and top master in 29:11.  Jason Tripp of Columbia, MD was seventh overall and top grand master in 29:31, at age 52.

Samantha Merkel of Laurel, MD was second female in 32:11.  Sarah Biron of Baltimore was third in 32:14.  Robin Watkins of Washington, DC was top master and fourth in 32:31.

The Celtic Solstice is a festive Celtic and Christmas-themed event, that basically wraps up the yearly race calendar.  Jim Adams and Karen Menge, the former directors and founders of the event, flew in from Vista, CA for the festivities. Corrigan Sports Enterprises has been in charge race operations since 2021.  The premium, always very nice, was an awesome winter vest with a Celtic logo.  The usual festivities included the bagpiper and Irish Wolfhounds leading the runners to the start line.  The race also features wine, coffee, hot chocolate, cookies, and an Irish Band, along with yearly age-group-ornament awards. Those interested can take photos with the big, gentle Irish Wolfhounds.

2561 finished the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler, with another 150 in a merged Reindeer Run 5k as Druid Hill Park was double-booked.

Top Women

  1.  28:52, Hannah Betman, 33, Baltimore, MD
  2. 32:11, Samantha Merkel, 27, Laurel, MD
  3. 32:14, Sarah Biron, 32, Baltimore, MD
  4. 32:31, Robin Watkins, 41, Washington, DC
  5. 33:59, Jessie Yang, 40, Clarksville, MD
  6. 34:44, Emily Ambinder, 38, Ellicott City, MD
  7. 34:53 Grace Duffy, 30, Baltimore, MD
  8. 35:02, Kate Deanehan, 47, Baltimore, MD
  9. 35:21, Teresa Wojtasiewicz, 39, Baltimore, MD
  10. 37:19, Brennan Marczewski, 30, Washington, DC
  11. 36:47, Laura Hartman, 42, Savage, MD

Top Men

  1.  27:30, Adam Sachs, 29, Catonsville, MD
  2. 28:17, Theodore Brown, 17, Baltimore, MD
  3. 28:34, Daniel Schofield, 30, Baltimore, MD
  4. 28:45, Benjamin Adams, 39, Ellicott City, MD
  5. 29:11, Jason Farber, 40, Baltimore, MD
  6. 29:22, Cian Connolly, 16, Baltimore, MD
  7. 29:31, Jason Tripp, 52, Columbia, MD
  8. 29:35, Andrew Gibson, Chesapeake Beach, MD
  9. 29:43, Kyle Holmes, 30, Sykesville, MD
  10. 29:45, Ryan Mills, 29, Ellicott City, MD
  11. 29:54, Jonathan Cheng, Baltimore, MD
Bagpiper James Waller and the Irish Wolfhounds led the vast field of over 2500 runners to the start line of the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler.
Adam Sachs (far left) leads the 2,561 runners onto the hilly Druid Hill Park course at the start of the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler.
Hannah Betman of Baltimore won the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler for the third time. Her winning time of 28:52 was only topped by four men.
Adam Sachs of Catonsville, MD wins the 25th Celtic Solstice 5 Miler in 27:30.
Samantha Merkel of Laurel, MD was second in 32:11.
Sarah Biron of Baltimore was third in 32:14.
Jessie Yang of Clarksville, MD was fifth and second master in 33:59, and very Christmas spirited.
Jason Farber of Baltimore charges toward the finish in 29:11, earning top master and fifth overall.
Jason Tripp of Columbia was seventh and top grand-master in 29:31.
Teresa Wojtasiewicz (aka Elsa) of Baltimore says hello to photographer Karen Mitchell on her ninth place finish in 35:21.
Erin Velasco of Severna Park, MD says hello wearing a Christmas sweater as the other runner checks her time.
Shuntae McKelvin #6409 of Columbia, MD runs with Robin Everhart #5855 of Frederick, MD, and Elizabeth Allen #5540 of Baltimore at the start of the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler.
Jicheng Liu of Ellicott City was 17th in 32:26
The coolest premiums ever? If not, it’s close. David Galloway #7118 of Severna Park, MD and Alexis Tatem #7805 of Severna Park, MD enjoy the vests during the race.
Christmas sweater sandwich for Laura Goodman of Elkridge, MD.
Teresa Ekiert of Centerville, VA enjoys the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler.
Matt Fichman of Millersville, MD in Scottish attire ran 38:39.
Maggie Stein of Catonsville, MD ran 37:08 to finish as 15th female, with positive vibes and #6666.
Shawn Pinamonti of Middle River, MD was 41st in 33:55. He has run all 25 Celtic Solstice races.
Qiang Tan of Ellicott City, MD was 15th in 32:03.
Brendan Lilley #5738 in orange Falls Road kit finished 13th in 31:29. Patrick Sawyer #5922 of Baltimore was 25th in 33:56, proving all that’s needed on a cold day is gloves and a hat. David Mann #7149 of Ellicott City was 77th in 36:22.
Benjamin Dursa of Parkville, MD is a fixture at the Celtic Solstice in his headdress and furs.
Janice and Matthew Wright of Pylesville, MD are a fixture at Baltimore, York, and Harrisburg races. Sara Johnson #5241 of Monkton, MD enjoys the company along with an unidentified elf.
Joanna and Sarah Barbee of Greensboro, MD enjoy the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler together.
Trudy Humphreys of Stevensville, MD displays her Christmas Spirit in the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler.
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