After a cooler year in 2025, the regular summer weather was back for this year’s Mike Sterling 10K.
I’d just run the Run, White and Blue 5K two days prior, and while the Mike Sterling 10K wasn’t quite as hot and humid as that one, it was still pretty hot and humid. I took a screen shot on my phone at 7:08 a.m. race day; at that time, it was 78 degrees with a dew point of 73. The 10K began at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K starting a little after and the ruck division starting at 7 a.m.
This race is always held as part of the National Hard Crab Derby festivities in Crisfield, Maryland, and this year, the race was held the morning of Saturday, Sept. 5.
After my relative success (not for speed, but for handling the weather) using 3:00 run/0:20 walk intervals at the Run, White and Blue 5K, I decided to do the same at the Mike Sterling 10K. I did that through the first water stop, which is about 1.5 miles in, and then switched to 3:00/0:30. My pace slowed down, but I was able to keep up regular intervals.
I started running this race in 2012 and have continued every year since, so this was my 15th year running. I know the course well and exactly what to expect along the way. It’s super flat and I like the course, which starts out near the City Dock, takes runners on an out-and-back by the water, and then into residential areas before heading back toward the dock with a straightaway that lasts a little more than 1.2 miles.
I stopped at each water stop, and around Mile 3, I had orange Gatorade (I don’t like orange or orange-flavored things, but after finding success with it at the Tobacco Road Marathon, I figured it would be worth it) and also got a water bottle, which I ran with.
I was able to speed up a little bit at the end — running a 10:42 mile for Mile 6 after two 11:37.2 miles (I found it interesting they were exactly the same) and 9:27 pace for the last bit (a quarter-mile on my watch). I still came in with one of my slower 10K race times, 1:07:55, a 10:56/mile pace.
I’d have loved to have run faster, but this was what I had on the day. I wasn’t disappointed, as the weather makes a big difference for me. I stuck around for the awards as this race usually has some awesome door prizes (and it’s always nice to support friends and others who did win). I wouldn’t have expected to earn an age group award anyway, but the age groups were different than usual; in my case, 30-49. I think I heard at the end of the race this would change for next year. There’s also always an award for the fastest Crisfielder, which I think is a cool way to recognize the locals (I don’t live in Crisfield).
There weren’t as many door prizes as usual, but I’m so glad I stuck around, as I was one of two people who won a free pair of shoes of our choice from Vernon Powell Shoes! I picked out my free pair this past weekend.
The Eastern Shore Running Club always has a great showing at this race, and we had a nice group out there. This is one of my favorite races, and I’ll keep coming back!
Splits
Mile 1: 9:46
Mile 2: 10:51
Mile 3: 11:00
Mile 4: 11:37
Mile 5: 11:37
Mile 6: 10:42
Last part (watch had .25): 2:22 (9:27/mile pace)
Finish time (results): 1:07:55 (10:56/mile pace); time on watch: 1:07:57 (10:52/mile pace)
