Muse and Zgorski Dominate the 21^st Tim Kennard River Run 10-Miler

by George Banker

“As for the Tim Kennard race itself, I really want to congratulate the organizers. The event is extremely well-run, and the atmosphere is always fantastic. It’s a race that brings together strong runners but keeps a friendly and community-oriented spirit, which makes it special. That’s also one reason I keep coming back every year,” stated Sebastien Truchi of Salisbury, MD.

Truchi ran in the 21^st Tim Kennard River Run 10-Miler on March 1, 2026, in Salisbury. The race keeps the memory of Tim Kennard alive. The 17^th 5K ran simultaneously.

“I have many memories of my brother. We lost our father when he was 13 and I was only 8. We shared many great memories and a few tough times. Of course, none tougher than his realization that cancer was going to end his life at 48. He was lying on the couch in his home in Salisbury, and his young son Dylan, only six at the time crawled up in his lap and lay next to him. Tim looked at me and said, ‘Don’t let him forget me,’ and this is why on the first Sunday in March the Tim Kennard River Run and Walk takes place,” stated Dodie Chiamulera.

The start and finish line was at the Salisbury Bible Fellowship Church with a dual start. The leaders going out were the 2023 and 2024 winner, Tyler Muse of Salisbury, James Heilman of Georgetown Running Club, and Ryan McMillian of Snow Hill, MD.

The chase pack included Kathleen Zgorski of Reisterstown, MD, Melissa Wiley of Ocean City, John Ford of Phoenix, MD, and Sherry Stick of Sykesville. Stick was an 8-time 5K open winner.

After the racecourse split, Heilman was leading the 5K going through the neighborhood. Matt Sparacino of Harrington, DE and John Ford were trailing.

Sherry Stick took the lead for the women, followed by Melissa Wiley and trailing was Lindsay Ford.

Heilman took first place in a time of 15:49. Demesse Tefera of Ethiopia set the record in 2009 in a time of 15:34. Sparacino took second in a time of 18:05 and was the first master.

“There are a lot of good runners in this race every year and I knew a few of them ran similar times, so I was trying to stay ahead of them. I’m a high-volume racer, but the Kennard is one of my favorites due to how great an event it is. From the course to the amenities, to supporting a wonderful cause, the Tim Kennard is always an event I look forward to,” stated Sparacino.

The second master was Greg Cauller at 21:37. Cauller is an 8-time 5K winner and master record holder with a time of 16:52 (2009).

Stick maintained the lead to capture her 9^th overall win and first master in 20:21. Stick holds the master record with a time of 18:30, the only female master to run under 19 minutes.

“I really enjoy coming back to Salisbury to run the roads where I covered many miles during my college years. The race is well-organized from start to finish, supports several great causes, and has a well-marked course, highlighting beautiful neighborhoods near campus. The crowd support is amazing, with spectators cheering along the way. The after-party with pancakes is fun too! It is also always great to catch up with Coach Jones afterward,” stated Stick.

Stick adds, “The competition was great- the other top females were back from last year. I never feel I’m in the clear until I cross the finish line. The other top females were near me in the first mile of the race. They are both accomplished runners, so I knew there was always a possibility I could get passed. I tried to maintain my pace through the middle of the race and then picked it up a bit in the final mile. Since the course is flat, I knew I didn’t have to face any hills, which is always welcome and quite different from most of the 5k’s I run closer to home.”

“This has been a particularly tough winter for training in Carroll County. We got a foot of snow in late January and with wind chill temperatures barely getting out of the single digits for several weeks after, nothing was melting. This meant I had to be creative with my running routes- resorting to parking lots or very early runs before many cars were out.

 I incorporate cross training in my routine with swimming and biking which has helped reduce injuries and maintain consistency,” stated Stick.

 Wiley was second at 21:17 and second master. Ford was the third finisher at 22:43.

Lynne Knothe of Wilmington, DE, was the fourth master at a time of 26:41. Knothe was 5-time 5K winner.

“I keep coming back to Tim Kennard because Harlan and the rest of the organization put on a terrific small-town race at the beginning of the spring racing season. It is the perfect race to get the rust out after trying to train through the winter, whether it’s on snow-covered roads or on the treadmill. I have come to this race, off and on, since the very first edition. I plan to keep coming back for as many years as my body will allow me to compete,” stated Knothe.

Knothe adds, “Last year the Tim Kennard race marked the beginning of my comeback from a major hamstring tear. My physical therapist had given me permission to start to do a little bit of running/walking on land during the week of the race. I completed the race doing run one minute, walking for one minute. Over the last several years, I have worked to come back from multiple foot surgeries and some other major injuries, including my previously mentioned hamstring tear.”

Knothe continues, “I have incorporated more cross training in recent years due to injuries. I grew up as a swimmer and have gone back to swimming 3 or 4 days a week now. I only run 3 or 4 times a week, compared to at least 6 days a week in my younger years. These days I rarely run back-to-back days to allow my body time to recover from the impact of running. My competition looks a little different now; I’m not that interested in running to win anymore, I’m more focused on competing against my last performance.”

Muse maintained the established lead to take first place at a time of 54:34. This completed his three-peat.

Graham Peck of Lutherville, MD, was runner-up at a time of 58:29. Peck is a 4-time winner. The third finisher was Ryan McMillian at a time of 1:00:59.

“Tyler is in a different class than I am! He and the 5k winner were way ahead by 200 yards into the race. I was Tyler’s current speed 10-15 years ago, but I’m no match for him these days. I was in 4th place after the first two miles, so that was exciting to have some competition to pace off,” stated Peck. 

“My attraction to return each year, The BRRC and Falls Road Running Store family always have a presence at Tim Kennard River Run every year thanks to my dad Henry’s involvement. The weather is typically good for racing, and 2026 was no different. And it’s worth an annual visit to Evolution Brewing to see what’s new on draft. The course is excellent. Even though it’s flat, it does have enough small hills to keep you on your toes. It’s an excellent choice for an early season tune up for spring marathons.” Peck adds.

Peck comments on maintaining his level of performance, “I try not to overreach with training these days. I have eight marathons on the docket for 2026, hoping to break 3 hours at each of them. The name of the game is to stay healthy, which also means not going completely all-in with training for any of them. My kids are also 2.5 and almost 5 years old now, so we’re getting increasingly busy with swimming, karate, etc… It’s a fun balancing act!”

 “The competition was tougher than last year. I got faster, so it made up for it. Last year I got third overall with a time of 1:06:32. This year I got third again with a time of 1:06:58. I just really like the course and it’s flat. You can have a great chance for a PR because the course is so fast. I also like how the race is put on for a great cause,” stated McMillian.

“I didn’t have a strategy. I wanted to do well and see where it took me. Once I saw how I was after mile three, the goal was sub-60 minutes. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but I’m incredibly pleased with the result. I had done the RRCA 10- mile club challenge in Columbia, Maryland a week before Tim Kennard so I didn’t exactly have a proper taper for this race. Also, I haven’t done much speed training this brutally chilly winter. So, to have these results, this is very promising going into the rest of the year,” added McMillian.

McMillian comments on maintaining his level of fitness, “Find and make the time to stay dedicated. I’m a coach at Snow Hill High School and what I tell my athletes is ‘if you want to be great, you’ve got to put the work in. Even if it means making the sacrifices you don’t want to make.’ This is a mindset I’ve developed for myself to stay focused and lock in for specific goals I want to reach.”

Sebastien Truchi made a successful defense of his 2025 master title at a time of 1:04:44. The runner-up was Martin Rodriguez at a time of 1:04:51.

“My strategy going into the race was simple: run controlled and see where my current fitness would take me. I ran a little slower than last year, but I was not expecting to improve. I had a significant ankle sprain at the end of December and had about three months of reduced training at the end of 2025, so the main goal this year was simply to get back into competition rhythm. The conditions this weekend were perfect though, which made the race very enjoyable,” stated Truchi.

“My race strategy for this year’s Tim Kennard 10 miler was really being conservative and patient, as I was only running it as a workout and not necessarily racing. I am currently training for a half marathon in April, so I had 15 miles in total to do. I incorporated these 10-milers into the total miles that I had to do in my plan,” stated Rodriguez.

Rodriguez continued, “The attraction for this event to me personally is the area where it is held at, I used to live in Salisbury and miss running out here like I used to before moving away. Also, ten milers are rare around the area so it’s good to have one local instead of having to drive out to DC for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler or even up to Philadelphia for Broad Street 10 miler (Don’t get me wrong these two 10 milers are also great but a lot of people have to do a lottery to get in). Tim Kennard you can just sign up for one of the two distances and you’re in, no need to wait and see if you got accepted/chosen.”

“Maintaining my level of performance while living my everyday life is not always as easy as it seems. I have a great support system like my fiancé, daughter, friends, the student athletes I coach, and co-workers who wish the best for me and that helps me. I get up early in the mornings to get my runs done before work and my current job works with me to make my races and also make the practices/races of the student athletes that I coach at a local high-school in Lewes, and they also know I work for the Seashore Striders Event Production Company where I setup/pickup and time events, “ added Rodriguez.

“The race has grown and become more competitive. It keeps that community feeling that makes it special. Races like this remind me why I love running — the competition, the community, and the challenge of seeing what you can do on a given day,” stated Synowiec.

Synowiec comments on his strategy, “Let everyone go! The plan was to stay disciplined throughout the entire race. This was part of a longer run for me this year (I’m training for the Salisbury Marathon). Fortunately, everything came together and I was able to close the race well and then add on an additional 11 miles afterwards.”

Synowiec adds, “The competition was great and always is. Races like this always bring out strong runners across multiple age groups, which really elevates the level of the event. Having talented runners around you helps you stay focused and push a little harder. We have a ton of talent right here on the shore.”

Kathleen Zgorski was first at 1:04:05. The record was set by the six-time winner, Megan DiGregorio, in 2017 (1:01:36). The runner-up and second master were Maria Miller of Tyaskin, Md., at 1:09:45. Miller is a 2-time (2024 and 2025) and 3-time master winner (2022-2024).

Zuleyka Martinez of Wilmington was third at a time of 1:10:46.

“I felt great about running with boys next to me, knowing I was running a great time. What I love about the Tim Kennard race is from the moment you get to the parking lot, the volunteers, and helicopter, and the Christian music feels like you are in the right spirit to start a great race,” stated Martinez.

Martinez adds, “I am a mother and I see it as a plus in my racing life I never stop moving with them so guess it helps me with how I balance my life. I got involved in running with the help of my boyfriend, he was doing it and I was like while I’ll try and here, I am now loving it. My best 10 miles was this race breaking my personal best. What I love about this sport is the beauty of nature seeing so many beautiful animals, trees, flowers, and rain feel amazing when you are sweating and it helps me to feel free.”

Susan Graham-Gray of Greencastle, PA set the master’s record time in 2009 (1:02:26). Ann Fraker of Lutherville, MD, was the second master at 1:15:32

This was my first time running the Tim Kennard 10 Miler. The level of competition was terrific. I like it when runners push me a bit, and I had that on the course. Flat, fast course in a lovely setting! And the festivities surrounding the race are fun,” stated Fraker.

Fraker comments on strategy, “I had run a 10 mile race the previous Sunday, The MD-DC RRCA 10 Mile Club Challenge in Columbia, MD. That course is hilly, so my goal was to run faster than my Club Challenge result of 1:18:22.”

Fraker’s motivation to stay in the sport, “I’ve been working with a coach since 2019, and while she has helped me reach some of my fastest times, my true motivation comes from the daily process. I look forward to the variety in my workouts. For me, running is a form of meditation; it’s a way to clear my head and find a sense of clarity. I’ve found that I value the consistency of the training more than any specific race outcome.”

The race beneficiaries are Team 360, Coalition of Caring, and the Eastern Shore Running Club Scholarship Fund. Sincere thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers.

Top Women 10 Miler

1. 1:04:05 Kathleen Zgorski, 25, Reisterstown, MD
2. 1:09:45 Maria F Miller, 44, Tyaskin, MD
3. 1:10:46 Zuleyka Martinez, 36, Wilmington, DE
4. 1:13:25 Kira Dolimeni, 33, Baltimore, MD
5. 1:14:50 Laura Giarratano, 36, Salisbury, MD

Top Men 10 Miler

1. 54:34 Tyler Muse, 32, Salisbury, MD
2. 58:29 Graham Peck, 36, Lutherville, MD
3. 1:00:59 Ryan McMillan, 31, Snow Hill, MD
4. 1:04:44 Sebastien Turchi, 42, Salisbury, MD
5. 1:04:51 Martin Rodriguez, 44, New Castle, DE
   

Top Women 5K

1. 20:21 Sherry Stick, 47, Sykesville, MD
2. 21:17 Melissa Wiley, 40, Ocean City, MD
3. 22:43 Lindsay Ford, 15, Salisbury, MD
4. 23:42 Keely Wells, 41, Laurel, DE
5. 25:25 Michelle Lear-Combs, 41, Salisbury, MD

Top Men 5K

1. 15:49 James Heilman, 31, Baltimore, MD
2. 18:05 Matt Sparacino, 48, Harrington, DE
3. 18:15 John Ford, 34, Phoenix, MD
4. 18:30 Robbie Dougherty, 18, Westminster, MD
5. 18:44 Mark Weiland, 34, Salisbury, MD

Categories: Race Coverage

Tags: 2026, featured, Tim Kennard