Max Coveleski wins Tommy C 5K, saying ‘I hate running’

Tommy C 5K Run - The 11th annual race was won by Max Coveleski, 34, nephew of the late Tom Coveleski, in 20:12, which is a 6:31 mile pace. I said to Max, “You don’t roll out of bed and run 20:12; you must have been training.” Max said, “I hate running. I lift in my garage and do other cross training stuff to keep myself fit.” As a Cape quarterback, Max and wideout Dom Thomas remain the all-time deep-threat, home-run ball combination in Vikings football history until somebody proves differently.  

Hermisms - “You play to win the game.” Herm Edwards, 2002. Most know the quote from a Coors Light commercial. The key words are “the game.” It is elective. Nothing like real life’s hardballs and knuckle curves and final outs while you're still walking around. I’ve been playing, coaching and covering sports closely in all my natural life, not to be confused with Natural Light, and all warped perspectives aside, winning the game is always important. There are always new stories of athletes being cut down in their prime. I read a couple just last weekend and have experienced far too many tragedies that have felled family and friends. But the Herm Edwards quote is playing in my head on repeat, “You play to win the game.”    

Lengthy walk - I don’t mind being hampered and hurt. I just don’t want to look hurt. Leaving Delmar hockey Oct. 17, with two playing fields between me and my car, I was assisted by 10-year-old Brooke Zolper, my angel flying low to the ground. She carries stuff for me. I read a detailed email from Sussex Tech to Cape Athletic Director Kevin Smith that was forwarded to me Sunday night which basically said, “Park far away, then walk to the hockey field.” All school administrators at the game will not only be riding in Gators, but also they ain’t getting up or giving them up. And we live in a county with more golf carts than geese, so how come we can't make that work like a Cajun Navy rescue after a hurricane? I will skip the game with Northern Division-clinching implications because “I don’t play that mess.” Parking close is the only job benefit I require. Once on the sidelines, photographers are three rungs below the ball girls and are sometimes ordered, “Shoot into the sun – your camera will figure it out.” 

Rope line - Cross country generates more old yeller rabid fans than any other sport I cover. It’s all positive, encouraging runners to go faster and hunt down the flock in front of them. At the Joe O’Neill Invitational at Killens Pond Oct. 18, I was being bogarted by young parents as everyone took videos with their phones. One dad turned around and apologized for both being loud and obstructing my view. He said, “Let me stand behind you.” I answered, “You can’t sit next to the pool and expect not to get wet. I’m just happy to be out here.” In truth, I wasn’t all that happy. 

Here comes the judge - Retired magistrate judge James Horn – retired at 85 – ran the Tommy Coveleski 5K Sunday morning as a 90-year-old, posting a 55:26 and saying afterward, “I ran the entire distance and didn't walk once.” Judge Horn grew up in Rehoboth and now lives in Lewes. He’s still on the bench in the dugout of magistrates to cover illnesses and vacations. 

Straight outta Smyrna - Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, a former Smyrna and Rutgers basketball player, scored four points over 18 minutes of playing time as the New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime Sunday night for the WNBA title. 

Snippets - NFL Sunday Night Football draws about 25 million viewers. The Mets at Dodgers series averages about 7.5 million viewers. The WNBA championship finals are about 1.5 million, an increase of 142% from previous years. On prime-time Sunday night and all three events happening simultaneously, what are loungers to do with one hand on the remote? Take a nap is what I did.  Stephanie Heslep, 32, ran the Lace Up for Ag Literacy 5K Oct. 19, in 28:25 dressed in a cow costume. She placed third in her age group. “I work for the Hopkins Creamery,” the run-happy Steph said, adding, “I may have dressed as a cow anyway.” Bust a moo, girl! Go on now, git!