Road Racing is Back on Jamestown Island with Democracy Dash 10K

Road racing is back on Jamestown Island, reliving a tradition that dates back to the 17th century, and its race promoters couldn't be happier.

In fact, two road races are on tap for this Saturday, with the inaugural Democracy Dash 10K taking place on Jamestown Island at 7:15 am, and the 10th Annual Smart Smiles 5K starting 45 minutes later at the Mariners Museum in Newport News.

The Democracy Dash will serve as the final leg of the newly installed Historic Triangle Triple Crown, joining the Yorktown 10K and Williamsburg’s Duke of Gloucester (DOG) Street Challenge 5K run, which are both held two weeks apart in April.

Most importantly, the Democracy Dash will renew a tradition started in 1691, when then-Virginia Governor Francis Nicholson held foot races, along with other sporting competitions, on Jamestown Island. Nicholson’s competitions marked the first recorded organized and official sporting events in the English New World. With a 327-year legacy to protect, it is noteworthy that there will now be races in all three cities of the Historic Triangle.

Runners may enter online at ww.RunSignUp.com. More information may be found at the Colonial Road Runners website at www.colonialroadrunners.org, and the Dash will also be part of the CRR Grand Prix series for 2018, which includes 23 races.

Michael Bennett, director of the Victory at Yorktown 10K and Democracy Dash committee member said, “We are so proud to live in an area with the rich history of three major locations, and to be able to host a series that will increase the visibility for those who live locally, and from other states.” Added CRR president Rick Platt, “I have been waiting many years for a running race on the beautiful tour roads of Jamestown Island.”

The Smart Smiles race doesn’t carry as much historical weight, but still serves a noble purpose, as its proceeds will be used to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula. Co-race sponsor Smart Smiles at the Dentist provides dental care for Boys and Girls Club members who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities.

The race also provides young cross-country runners the chance for a pre-season tune-up, evidenced by last year’s winner, Clint Gault, who won as a Poquoson High senior, in 16:41.

Whetstine Wins Six Swimming Golds at State Age-Groups

Clayton Whetstine of the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins posted a Michael Phelps-like performance last weekend, capturing six gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the Virginia Age Group Championships, held at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center, outside of Blacksburg.

Whetstine’s performance was noteworthy in that it showed off his versatility in distances and strokes. The 14-year-old, a rising ninth-grader at Norfolk Academy, won in three different disciplines, with victories in the 100 (1:00.02) and 200-meter (2:13.16) backstroke, the 200 (2:14.57) and 400-meter (4:47.36) individual medley, and the 200 (2:00.73) and 400-meter (4:16.62) freestyle. The individual medley swims were impressive with Whetstine winning the 200 by almost 4.94 seconds.

Whetstine also placed second in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:35.38) and third in the 1500-meter freestyle (17:25.62).

Other local swimmers earned top-two finishes. Daniel Parsons of the Southeastern Virginia (SEVA) Seahawks placed second in the 13-14-year-old 50 (24.96) and 100-meter freestyle (55.29), as well as the 100 butterfly (1:00.34). Jack Graham of the Williamsburg Aquatic Club also earned three runner-up finishes, in the 200 (2:16.55) and 400-meter freestyle (4:48.86) and the 200 individual medley (2:33.40).

The Dolphins’ relay team of Kyleigh Tankard, Isabel Marstellar, Brooke-Lynn Clark and Ann Ellington earned two second place finishes, in the 400 medley relay (4:34.95) and 800 freestyle relay (8:51.29).

Carl Stauffer of Williamsburg Aquatics won second in the 10-and-under 50-meter breaststroke (41.86), and teammate Mary Gregory was second in the 11-12 200-meter breaststroke (2:55.62).

Sean Thomas of 757 Swim placed second in the 11-12 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:12.21. CGBD’s Bernard Kim was second in the 10-and-under 100-meter breaststroke in 1:28.90.