As the 11th event in the highly competitive Chicago Racing Circuit, the Hidden Gem Half Marathon offered a fresh opportunity for runners to solidify their age group standings. A handful of athletes managed to clinch coveted podium finishes in their age groups, showcasing their consistency and dedication over the course of the season. However, with several age groups still up for grabs, the Circuit remains as exciting as ever, promising intense competition in the remaining races. This analysis provides an in-depth look at Circuit standings, highlighting key performances and shifts in rankings through the Hidden Gem event.
The 14 & Under age groups are not eligible to compete in races of 10 miles or longer, so the next update for them will be when the Lake Bluff PTO Pumpkin Chase 5k is scored. The 15-19 age group did not have any Circuit competitors earn points at Hidden Gem Half Marathon. All runners 19 & under are only required to run a minimum of 3 Circuit races to earn the CARA Racing Award.
14 & Under – Female
Place | Name | Points | Races |
1 | Callie Ding | 60 | 4 |
2 | Skye Turner | 47 | 4 |
14 & Under – Male
Place | Name | Points | Races |
1 | Nico Navarro | 47 | 4 |
2 | Chandler Ding | 34 | 3 |
3 | Winter Turner | 31 | 4 |
15-19 – Female
Place | Name | Points | Races |
1 | Gabi Stalley | 72 | 5 |
2 | Sarah Prestes | 51 | 4 |
15-19 – Male
Place | Name | Points | Races |
1 | Max Malcolm | 12 | 1 |
2 | Nathan Stalley | 6 | 1 |
3 | Damon Strahan | 4 | 1 |
20-24 – Female
Place | Name | Points | Races |
1 | Emma Stein | 9 | 1 |
1 | Megan Grizzle | 5 | 2 |
Neither Emma Stein nor Megan Grizzle completed at Hidden Gem or the Chicago Marathon. Stein will not be able to complete 5 Circuit races this year and will not be included in the final awards list. Grizzle is still eligible, but she must complete the remaining 3 races. There are a few other CARA members in this age group that also ran 2 races, so if any of them finish the last 3 Circuit races, they can still make it to the podium.
20-24 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | John Barrett | CARA Racing Team | 76 | 7 |
2 | Aaron Holzmueller | Evanston Running Club | 34 | 6 |
3 | Gift Chujor | Unattached | 8 | 2 |
CARA Racing Team’s John Barrett finished 5th in the age group at Hidden Gem in 1:11:12, boosting his lead up to 42 points. He is just 3 points shy of clinching first in the age group title. On the other end, if Gift Chujor does not compete at the next Circuit race, he will be dropped from the end of year standings and Evanston’s Aaron Holzmueller will solidify his position in second.
25-29 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Claire Krummenacher | Fleet Feet Racing Team X New Balance | 66 | 5 |
2 | Brittney Burmester | CARA Racing Team | 45 | 3 |
3 | Cecelia Galvan | CARA Racing Team | 26 | 4 |
3 | Jennifer Aguilar | DWRunning | 26 | 5 |
5 | Jacqueline Colon | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing Team | 24 | 3 |
Fleet Feet’s Claire Krummenacher has continued to impress, taking not just the age group victory at Hidden Gem, but also the overall title. Her 1:16:40 was a full two minutes before Sabrina Baftiri, the 2nd place finisher in the age group. Her lead over CARA Racing Team’s Brittney Burmester has increased, but she is not yet out of reach.
Inching her way up, DW’s Jennifer Aguilar gained two points with her 14th place finish at Hidden Gem (1:35:57) and moved up from a tie for 4th with Jacqueline Colon to a tie for 3rd with CARA Racing Team’s Cecelia Galvan.
25-29 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Sebastian Ramirez Wiener | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing Team | 86 | 10 |
2 | Dan Pettitt | CARA Racing Team | 54 | 6 |
3 | Nathan Holzmueller | Evanston Running Club | 32 | 6 |
4 | Greg Smith | Unattached | 24 | 4 |
5 | James Diamond | CARA Racing Team | 23 | 5 |
Sebastian Ramirez Wiener finished in 12th place at Hidden Gem (1:14:33), and those four points were enough for him to clinch at least 2nd place in the age group. DW’s John Lennon finished in front of him in 11th place in 1:14:12, moving him up to 7th place in Circuit standings, still too far to reach the podium. Nathan Holzmueller (1:24:40) and James Diamond (1:28:47) also competed at Hidden Gem, but weren’t able to breach the top 15 to earn Circuit points.
30-34 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Lauren Zumbach | DWRunning | 65 | 5 |
2 | Katherine Wuestenfeld | DWRunning | 61 | 5 |
3 | Margaret Connelly | Unattached | 60 | 4 |
4 | Maureen Miller | Unattached | 44 | 4 |
5 | Nicole Hobbs | CARA Racing Team | 40 | 4 |
Except for the former leader Margaret Connelly, all other top 5 Circuit runners competed at Hidden Gem. DW’s Katherine Wuestenfeld led the way with a 5th place finish in 1:29:47. Maureen Miller wedged herself in between DW teammates, finishing 6th in 1:30:03 in front of Lauren Zumbach’s 7th place (1:32:11). CARA Racing Team’s Nicole Hobbs added to her score with an 8th place finish in 1:32:57.
Zumbach now takes the lead with Wuestenfled in 2nd. Connelly drops from first to third, but still with that perfect score she’s looking very strong. Miller and Hobbs stayed in the same position but distanced themselves from Andrea Malone in 6th place (28 points).
30-34 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Matthew Bevil | Unattached | 52 | 4 |
2 | Ken Love | Xtra Mile Fast Track | 44 | 8 |
3 | Samuel LeVon | Unattached | 43 | 6 |
4 | Jose Mora | Unattached | 43 | 7 |
5 | Brendan Thielsen | Fleet Feet Racing X New Balance | 40 | 3 |
Unfortunately, the group of death did not bring any juicy drama at Hidden Gem. Still the most competitive age group, Jose Mora was the only one of the top 5 that rose to the challenge and crossed the finish line. Finishing in 29th place (1:24:27), he was unable to gain any points.
However, there was some movement in the top 10. CARA Racing Team’s Steven Levine finished 12th at Hidden Gem in 1:16:17 12th, moving him up in Circuit standings from 7th to a tie for 6th with 28 points. Venados Racing Team’s Axel Munoz was less than a minute behind, finishing in 1:17:09 and in 15th place. He gained that last precious Circuit point and broke another tie to move up to a solo position in 8th. With 45 points up for grabs in the last three races, the podium is still open to nearly anyone.
35-39 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Brittany Matteson | DWRunning | 89 | 6 |
2 | Samantha Greenwood | DWRunning | 79 | 6 |
3 | Christy Kennedy | Unattached | 62 | 5 |
4 | Kimberli Bishop | CARA Racing Team | 52 | 4 |
5 | Bridget Chamberlin | Naperville Running Co. TC | 44 | 5 |
6 | Margaret Flynn | Unattached | 37 | 8 |
The 35–39-year-old women again turned out in numbers for the Circuit race. Four of the top six competed at Hidden Gem, and all placed in the top 10. Second overall in the race, DW’s Brittany Matteson led the age group with a 1:17:19. She remains atop the age group one point shy of a perfect score. Her 89 points have locked out Margaret Flynn and Naperville Running Company’s Bridget Chamberlin from winning the age group, but they still have a shot at second or third.
Chamberlin’s 8th place finish at Hidden Gem (1:30:45) moved her in front of Flynn to 5th place. DW’s Samantha Greenwood gained 12 points from a 4th place finish at Hidden Gem (1:25:41), putting her 17 points and at least two races ahead of Christy Kennedy. CARA Racing Team’s Kimberli Bishop finished 6th for 10 points (1:26:53) and now only sits 10 points behind Kennedy, a gap she could close in one race.
35-39 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Yoon Oh | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 112 | 8 |
2 | Nathan Kennedy | Unattached | 47 | 4 |
3 | Finbar Smith | Naperville Running Co. TC | 39 | 3 |
4 | Patrick Mitoraj | Unattached | 34 | 3 |
5 | Austin Getchell | Naperville Running Co. TC | 27 | 4 |
6 | Steven Bromley | Oak Park Runners Club | 26 | 4 |
Fast Track’s Yoon Oh was one of two in the top 10 in Circuit age group standings that braved the competitive Hidden Gem. He put in a great performance, finishing 5th in 1:14:51 and was rewarded with clinching 1st place in the age group for the 2024 Circuit. The other competitor was Kevin Kysiak of DW who finished 11th in 1:19:25, which moves him up from 12th to 9th in the Circuit age group.
As for the rest of the podium spots, no one will be able to clinch second or third before the last race. It will come down to the wire, and with not all runners getting their required fifth race in yet, there may be some surprises.
40-44 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Kristin Dailey | DWRunning | 105 | 7 |
2 | Kelly Thielbar | DWRunning | 84 | 7 |
3 | Julia Ordzowialy | DWRunning | 71 | 5 |
4 | Ashley Turner | CARA Racing Team | 61 | 6 |
5 | Kristen McPhee | Oak Park Runners Club | 50 | 4 |
6 | Linda Frederick | Oak Park Runners Club | 46 | 5 |
Again, four of the top six women in the age group attacked the Flossmoor streets. DW’s Julia Ordzowialy won the age group (1:20:15), staying in 3rd place for the age group but distancing herself from 4th by 10 points. Ashley Turner of CARA Racing Team moved up from 5th to 4th in the age group with her 2nd place Gem finish (1:27:14). While Circuit overall leader Kristin Dailey remained in first even while sitting this one out, her DW teammate Kelly Thielbar narrowed the gap by 11 points with her 5th place finish at Hidden Gem (1:28:41). 6th place Linda Frederick of OPRC is now within range of catching her teammate Kristen McPhee in the age group after an 8th place at Hidden Gem (1:33:43).
Unfortunately, McPhee and Frederick have run out of real estate. Even with perfect scores in the remaining Circuit races, they will not be able to finish top three. At the top, Dailey was untested in the age group and will likely claim 1st place with 120 points when the Chicago Marathon is scored. 2nd-4th place is where the race is still ongoing. While Thielbar holds 2nd with more races completed, Ordzowialy and Turner have potential higher scores. Turner is the only hope to break apart a DW podium sweep.
40-44 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Matthew Jeromin | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 107 | 8 |
2 | John Craig | Unattached | 96 | 8 |
3 | Jeremy Ruston | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 68 | 5 |
4 | Ivan Yank | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 60 | 5 |
5 | Aaron King | DWRunning | 44 | 3 |
The top Circuit runner in this age group at Hidden Gem was DW’s Alvaro Montoya, finishing 2nd in 1:15:27. While this moves him up from 11th to 6th in the age group, it’s too late for him to accumulate enough points to finish in the top 3. Behind Montoya, Matthew Jeromin of Fast Track (3rd, 1:16:17), John Craig (4th, 1:16:46), and Fast Track’s Ivan Yank (5th, 1:17:21) rounded out the points scored at Hidden Gem.
While Craig inched one point closer to Jeromin, it won’t be enough as Jeromin has clinched 1st place in the age group. Craig needs to fend off Ruston and Yank for just a few more races. He can only gain 1-4 points for finishing 1st-4th place going forward, as he is at the maximum of 8 races scored. Ruston’s opportunity to be a 2024 Inductee into the CARA Hall of Fame just became challenging. Craig just needs 3 more points to lock him out of 2nd, so without a strong finish, Ruston will have to wait until 2025. The best way for Ruston and Yank to overtake Craig would be to complete 8 Circuit races, starting with the Pumpkin Chase.
45-49 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Evance Stalley | CARA Racing Team | 114 | 8 |
2 | Erica Alansari | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 102 | 9 |
3 | Megan Leahy | CARA Racing Team | 71 | 5 |
4 | Wendy Curry | CARA Racing Team | 70 | 6 |
5 | Trisha Doris | Unattached | 64 | 7 |
CARA Racing Team showed their might at Hidden Gem, claiming the top two spots. Megan Leahy won the age group in 1:29:08 and Wendy Curry was 2nd in 1:36:29, moving them up in Circuit standings while dropping Trisha Doris to 5th. Fast Track’s Erica Alansari was not far behind in 1:37:27 for 4th place, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap with age group Circuit leader Evance Stalley. Stalley will remain out of reach for everyone and has clinched 1st place.
Alansari holds a solid 2nd place but might need a couple more points to keep CARA Racing Team from sweeping the top 3 spots. Leahy has won 4 races this year, while Curry has scored in more races, making the competition between them tight as the season concludes. It’s shaping up to be an exciting finish!
Other point-scoring runners at Hidden Gem were DWRunning’s Emily Keip (6th, 1:39:17) and Fleet Feet’s Lorrie Buenrostro (7th, 1:45:02). Keip moves up to 8th in the Circuit age group and Buenrostro moves up to 7th, both out of contention for the podium.
45-49 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Daniel Lennington | Evanston Running Club | 90 | 6 |
2 | Scott Mangum | Evanston Running Club | 71 | 5 |
3 | Patrick Devitt | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 67 | 7 |
4 | Steve Breese | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 66 | 7 |
5 | Ryan Curry | CARA Racing Team | 58 | 6 |
Previously in 4th place, Evanston Running Club’s Scott Mangum made a bold move and went for it at Hidden Gem. His 2nd place finish (1:22:19) earned him 14 points and boosted him up to 2nd in the age group. CARA Racing Team’s Ryan Curry tackled the Gem as well and earned 11 points for his 5th place finish (1:24:32). While he remains in 5th, now he’s only 9 points away from the podium. 8th place at the Gem, Patrick Devitt of Fast Track (1:26:38) secured enough points to stay in 3rd for the Circuit.
Even without racing at Hidden Gem, Daniel Lennington still looks unstoppable with that perfect score. Since no one’s been able to beat him yet this year, he just needs to race a couple more times to lock it in. The rest will continue to battle for 2nd and 3rd.
Other notable performances at Hidden Gem were age group winner James Hirschauer of DW in 1:21:04, 11th place Brian Prestes of Oak Park Runners Club (1:31:41), and DW’s David Murphy 15th place finish in 1:37:42.
50-54 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Maria Amaro | Evanston Running Club | 115 | 10 |
2 | Julie Bruns | DWRunning | 103 | 7 |
3 | Erica Agran | CARA Racing Team | 92 | 8 |
4 | Lubeca Betancourt | Elmhurst Running Club | 50 | 6 |
The top four in this age group all competed at Hidden Gem. DW’s Julie Bruns led the way with an age group victory in 1:37:36. Erica Agran of CARA Racing Team came in third in 1:49:02, while Evanston Running Club’s Maria Amaro was 6th (1:50:59) and Elmhurst Running Club’s Lubeca Beancourt was 9th (1:56:48).
Amaro will remain at the top of standings, but her place at Hidden Gem wasn’t high enough to gain any points. Every Circuit win going forward will earn her only 1 or 2 points. With Bruns now only 12 points behind, those 1 or 2 points are critical, especially with Bruns still having a path open to a perfect score.
Betancourt will not be able to catch Agran in the remaining races, and it’s looking unlikely that Agran will be able to move up a spot either. That means Agran will clinch third and Amaro and Bruns will continue to race for 1st and 2nd.
50-54 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Trent Fifield | DWRunning | 120 | 8 |
2 | Volker Rose | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 99 | 8 |
3 | Chris Wolf | Evanston Running Club | 86 | 6 |
4 | Phillip Stalley | CARA Racing Team | 85 | 8 |
5 | Rick Summer | DWRunning | 68 | 5 |
He did it folks! DW’s Trent Fifield took Hidden Gem by storm, winning in 1:16:24, more than 5 minutes in front of 2nd place teammate Rick Summer (1:21:52). This clinches 1st place for him with a perfect score for the 2024 Circuit. Summer will stay in 5th for the Circuit but earned his CARA Racing Award for completing his 5th Circuit race. This Circuit was well represented in this age group at Hidden Gem:
Top Hidden Gem 50-54 Male Circuit Competitors
1st Trent Fifield 1:16:24 DWRunning
2nd Rick Summer 1:21:52 DWRunning
5th Jose Puyol 1:25:32 CARA Racing Team
6th Kenneth Jensen 1:26:31 CARA Racing Team
8th Bob Browne 1:29:16 Elmhurst Running Club
10th Lance Caldwell 1:30:27 Track and Tough Athletic Union
12th Phillip Stalley 1:24:25 CARA Racing Team
15th Gavin Kearney 1:36:04 Oak Park Runners Club
There were no standings changes for this age group at Hidden Gem, but a scoring correction updated Evanston Running Club’s Chris Wolf into 3rd place. Wolf, Fast Track’s Volker Rose, and CARA Racing Team’s Phillip Stalley are now competing for the 2nd and 3rd spots. In 5th place, Summer can’t catch Rose, and either Wolf and Stalley just need to compete at the Fast Track XC race or Lincolnwood 10k to lock Summer off the podium. While Rose has a 13-point advantage in 2nd place, Wolf, who has finished no lower than 2nd this year, could catch him and clinch 2nd by finishing 4th or better at two of the remaining Circuit races. Given that the XC race is a home meet for Rose, he can eliminate the possibility that Wolf could sneak by him with only running one remaining Circuit race. Stalley is close to the podium and has put in the work this year, making the most of it by competing in 8 races. His only opportunity to make it onto the podium is to drop his lowest scores by finishing near the top at the remaining Circuit races and hope that Rose and Wolf are done for the season.
55-59 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Kristin Otto | Oak Park Runners Club | 114 | 8 |
2 | Geri Bensen | Oak Park Runners Club | 96 | 7 |
3 | Melinda Poulton | Evanston Running Club | 88 | 7 |
4 | Unsal Ozdogru | CARA Racing Team | 83 | 6 |
The quality of Circuit runners was on display at Hidden Gem, as CARA members swept the podium. OPRC’s Kristin Otto claimed the title in 1:40:16, teammate Geri Bensen took second in 1:42:15, and CARA Racing Team’s Unsal Ozdogru placed third in 1:42:59. Also of note, Lisa Petrelli finished 13th in 2:17:12.
With the win, Otto guarantees herself at least 2nd place for the Circuit. Bensen moves up into 2nd place ahead of Evanston Running Club’s Melinda Poulton and is the only competitor with the potential to top Otto. Otto, however, can clinch 1st with only two more points. A first or second place finish for her at any remaining Circuit race will do it. Meanwhile, Ozdogru narrows the gap on 3rd place from 12 points down to only 5.
55-59 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Aaron Barnhart | Evanston Running Club | 120 | 8 |
2 | Ken Schuch | CARA Racing Team | 97 | 7 |
3 | Richard Vigsnes | Oak Park Runners Club | 96 | 7 |
4 | Doug Pearson | Elmhurst Running Club | 78 | 11 |
Top Hidden Gem 55-59 Male Circuit Competitors
1st Aaron Barnhart 1:24:23 Evanston Running Club
2nd Ken Schuch 1:25:46 CARA Racing Team
5th Anthony Contillo 1:39:16 Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing
6th Doug Pearson 1:39:53 Evanston Running Club
7th Adam Ruiz 1:41:09 Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing
8th John Villano 1:41:33 CARA Racing Team
Another race, another victory for Evanston Running Club’s Aaron Barnhart. This one seals the deal though, clinching 1st place in the age group for the 2024 Circuit. Meanwhile, Schuch’s 2nd place at Hidden Gem moves him up to 2nd for the Circuit, one point ahead of 3rd place Rich Vigsnes of Oak Park Runners Club. With their high point totals, 4th place Doug Pearson cannot reach them and will stay in 4th place. That means the remaining contest is between Schuch and Vigsnes, who have been neck-and-neck all season long.
Although these finishes won’t influence age group Circuit standings, Schuch finally took down Barnhart at the Chicago Marathon. After 26.2 miles and over 3 hours of running, it was a mere 7 second difference between the two (3:11:44 to 3:11:51). Circuit scoring is estimating that they will be the 6th and 7th Illinois finishers in this age group. Another notable age group performance at the marathon, DW’s Sascha Edge is estimated to be the 2nd Illinois finisher in 3:02:47.
60-64 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Angelica Guerrero | Fleet Feet Racing X New Balance | 120 | 10 |
2 | Libby Harvey-Hill | CARA Racing Team | 111 | 9 |
3 | Julie Blankemeier | Oak Park Runners Club | 77 | 7 |
4 | Ann Marie Phaneuf | Unattached | 61 | 5 |
5 | Angie Dudman | Unattached | 42 | 3 |
While Fleet Feet’s Angelica Guerrero clinched first place for the Circuit at Alpine Races, CARA Racing Team’s Libby Harvey-Hill’s stellar performance at Hidden Gem clinched her 2nd place for the Circuit. Her Hidden Gem win in 1:41:52 was almost 9 minutes faster than the next competitor in the age group, Fleet Feet’s Kayoko Hamamura (1:50:36).
Still to be determined is 3rd place. OPRC’s Julie Blankemeier and CARA Board Member Ann Marie Phaneuf are both estimated to earn age group points at the Chicago Marathon, and both have potential maximum scores of over 100 points.
60-64 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | David Schaub | Oak Park Runners Club | 118 | 10 |
2 | Carlos Viramontes | Elmhurst Running Club | 105 | 11 |
3 | Marc Woodcock | Elmhurst Running Club | 101 | 8 |
4 | David Hensley | Elmhurst Running Club | 76 | 7 |
5 | Eugene Callaghan | Oak Park Runners Club | 70 | 7 |
Like Guerrero, Oak Park Runners Club’s David Schaub clinched the Circuit age group win at Alpine Races, but he continues to race to help his team and has scored another victory at Hidden Gem in 1:33:45. With two more wins he can claim that coveted perfect score as well. Behind him at Hidden Gem, Elmhurst Running Club’s Carlos Viramontes claimed 2nd place in 1:38:39. Other notable finishes at Hidden Gem include OPRC teammates Kevin Brubaker (6th, 1:44:39) and Nick Bensen (7th, 1:44:59).
Due to David Hensley and Eugene Callaghan sitting out both Hidden Gem and the Chicago Marathon, Viramontes and Woodcock have clinched at least third and will battle it out for second. Viramontes’s lead is small, and he has already dropped his low scoring races. To earn any points going forward he must finish 3rd or better to yield only 1-3 points. Woodcock, meanwhile, still has a low score of 12th place at Shamrock Shuffle to drop, meaning he can pick up as many as 9 points in one race, enough to pass Viramontes.
Your age group leaders Schaub and Viramontes also raced the Chicago Marathon and finished within one minute of each other. While results still aren’t official and Circuit standings will not change, preliminary results show that Schaub may be the 10th Illinois finisher in the age group in 3:42:12 and Viramontes is right behind him in 11th (3:42:39).
65-69 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Janet Robinson | Unattached | 107 | 9 |
2 | Eileen Skisak | Oak Park Runners Club | 93 | 7 |
3 | Eileen Dolan | Oak Park Runners Club | 89 | 6 |
4 | Kielo Sauvala | Evanston Running Club | 55 | 4 |
5 | Ann Ryan | Oak Park Runners Club | 39 | 3 |
Ten women in the 65-69 age group competed at Hidden Gem, and six of them are CARA members. Oak Park Runners Club’s Jane Murphy led the way with a win in 1:49:11, moving up from 12th to 6th in Circuit standings. Kielo Sauvala of Evanston Running Club (3rd in 1:57:43), Janet Robinson (4th in 2:03:19), and OPRC’s Ann Ryan (5th in 2:03:51) all had great performances at Hidden Gem but it wasn’t enough to improve their Circuit standings. Jane Regalado (8th in 2:16:38) moved up from 13th to 8th.
With the Circuit winding down, Robinson, Skisak, and Dolan have clinched podium spots, but which spot remains to be determined. Robinson is nearly maxed out on points and can only gain 5 more for the remainder of the Circuit, leaving the door open for Dolan, who still has a path open to a perfect score. If Skisak gets her 8th race done, she could tie Robinson for the lead, creating an exciting finish for the last couple races.
65-69 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Keith Holzmueller | Evanston Running Club | 115 | 8 |
2 | Terrence Keleher | Oak Park Runners Club | 85 | 8 |
3 | Brian Sweney | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 71 | 5 |
4 | Mark Przbyla | Unattached | 64 | 5 |
5 | Rainer Schochat | Oak Park Runners Club | 60 | 5 |
With a third place finish in the age group at Hidden Gem (1:32:07), you’d think Evanston Running Club’s Keith Holzmueller had further padded his lead in the Circuit standings. But the problem with being nearly perfect is that you must continue to be nearly perfect to move forward. 3rd place ties Holzmueller’s lowest age group finish for the year and he did not gain any Circuit points. However, the benefit of continuing to race is that he’s helping his team score, forcing everyone behind him in the age group to finish another place lower, and clinching at least 2nd place in the Circuit age group. The only movement in the top 5 Circuit runners was Rainer Schochat moving up to 5th with his 6th place finish at Hidden Gem (1:44:24). Other top Circuit runners at Hidden Gem included DW’s Dave Walters (1st, 1:25:41) and Evanston Running Club’s Scott Pollock (10th 1:57:04).
Fast Track’s Brian Sweney continues to be a thorn in Holzmueller’s side. While Sweney wasn’t at Hidden Gem, he is likely the 2nd Illinois finisher at the Chicago Marathon (3:13:53), meaning he’ll move up to tie OPRC’s Terrence Keleher for 2nd place with two less races completed. If Holzmueller can get one more out right age group win, he can finally rest at ease and claim the Circuit title for himself. Sweney, however, needs to keep his momentum going and win two of the last three Circuit races if he wants the title. Mark Przbyla and Schochat can’t win the age group, but they are still in the running for 2nd or 3rd if, and only if, they compete in all three remaining Circuit races. Meanwhile, Keleher has fought the good fight and must hope his dedication is enough to keep him in the top 3.
70-74 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Maureen Mikulski | Unattached | 97 | 7 |
2 | Grace Wasielewski | Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing | 90 | 6 |
3 | Kaori Maeshima | Unattached | 73 | 6 |
4 | Catherine Saccany | Evanston Running Club | 50 | 5 |
Maureen Mikulski’s reward from her age group win at Hidden Gem (2:25:44) is a move into first place in the Circuit. Fast Track’s Grace Wasielewski, undefeated so far this year, sat this one out. Evanston Running Club’s Catherine Saccany is the other Hidden Gem finisher in this age group, recording 4th place in 3:12:35. She gained 12 points and now only sits 23 points out of the medals.
Unofficial results show that Wasielewski won the age group at the Chicago Marathon in 3:47:00, but it looks like Mikulski will also score points at the Marathon (5:58:42), potentially leaving them in a tie. Official marathon results and performances at the cross country race and Lincolnwood 10k will determine the winner of this age group. Either way, both have clinched a spot on the podium.
Third place in the age group is the other podium spot up for contest between Kaori Maeshima and Saccany. With three races left, whoever ends up finishing third will likely have to complete 8 Circuit races.
70-74 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Bill Leiner | Evanston Running Club | 118 | 8 |
2 | Robert Jungwirth | Elmhurst Running Club | 110 | 9 |
3 | Greg Smith | Unattached | 88 | 8 |
4 | Peter Bender | Oak Park Runners Club | 59 | 6 |
5 | Fritz Gareis | Evanston Running Club | 52 | 7 |
With Evanston’s Bill Leiner already clinching 1st place in the age group, Elmhurst Running Club’s Robert Jungwirth clinched 2nd place in the age group with a 2nd place finish at Hidden Gem (1:58:53). All that remains to be determined is third place. Greg Smith, Peter Bender, and Fritz Gareis are still in the hunt. Smith has an advantage with 8 races already completed, and Bender and Gareis can only pass him by competing in all three Circuit races left.
75-79 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Nancy Rollins | Evanston Running Club | 120 | 8 |
2 | Isola Metz | Oak Park Runners Club | 113 | 9 |
3 | Delma Bartelme | Lake Shore Racing Club | 76 | 6 |
4 | Judy Friedes-Craig | Unattached | 38 | 4 |
5 | Lynn Adler | Unattached | 33 | 3 |
No surprise to anyone that’s paying attention, Nancy Rollins won the age group at Hidden Gem and clinched the Circuit age group with a perfect score. Her 1:54:49 at Hidden Gem was significantly ahead of OPRC’s Isola Metz, who finished 2nd at Hidden Gem (2:23:01) and in turn clinched 2nd for the 2024 Circuit age group. With the number of races dwindling and a big gap down to 4th place, Delma Bartelme of Lake Shore Racing Club also clinched 3rd place for the Circuit, even without racing Hidden Gem. With places determined, the athletes can continue to compete to get points for their teams and enjoy race day comradery.
75-79 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Bob Richards | Elmhurst Running Club | 104 | 7 |
2 | James Kubik | Unattached | 98 | 7 |
3 | Donald Jensen | Oak Park Runners Club | 91 | 7 |
4 | Dale Monroe-Cook | Oak Park Runners Club | 77 | 8 |
5 | Carle Rollins | Evanston Running Club | 71 | 6 |
Elmhurst Running Club’s Bob Richards won the age group at Hidden Gem in 2:08:57 and clinched at least 3rd place for the Circuit while moving into the lead. He only needs another 9 points to clinch the title and can do so with a 7th or better finish at any remaining Circuit race. Given his near perfect score so far this year, it shouldn’t be a problem.
OPRC’s Donald Jensen placed 3rd at the Gem in 2:19:37, distancing himself from 4th in the Circuit and challenging James Kubik for 2nd. With the same number of races run, Kubik’s lead over Jensen is meaningful. He only needs a 4th place or better finish in one of the remaining Circuit races to clinch 2nd place.
Jensen’s OPRC teammate Dale Monroe-Cook and Evanston Running Club’s Carle Rollins are still eligible to take 3rd place, but if Jensen continues to race and finishes 9th or better in another Circuit race, he will clinch 3rd place.
80-84 – Female
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Eileen Malec | Elmhurst Running Club | 83 | 6 |
2 | Muriel Odeen | Unattached | 60 | 4 |
3 | Tamerra Buckhanan | Unattached | 30 | 2 |
Tamerra Buckhanan won her age group at Hidden Gem uncontested in 2:38:34. She followed that up a few weeks later and won the Chicago Marathon in 5:50:23. With Chicago Marathon results still being unofficial, the 15 points have not yet been added to her Circuit total. Put that together with her Shamrock Shuffle age group win, and she has a perfect score.
She’s not the only one though. Muriel Odeen also is perfect this year with 4 age group wins, creating a potential exciting finish us running nerds will love. Since both athletes have not yet completed their 5th Circuit race, a head-to-head race or tie breaker could determine their Circuit placement in the age group. But without finishing 5 Circuit races, neither runner is eligible for an award.
Alone at the top of the standings, Elmhurst Running Club’s Eileen Malec will clinch 1st if she is able to complete one more Circuit race. She is already guaranteed a spot on the podium, and after almost 20 years of running the Circuit, she will receive her first CARA Hall of Fame points. Doris Schertz, another Circuit legend, was the last Female 80+ age group winner in 2019.
80-84 – Male
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races |
1 | Adrian Malec | Elmhurst Running Club | 115 | 9 |
2 | Joe Sehnal | Elmhurst Running Club | 60 | 4 |
3 | Robert Ramsay | Unattached | 42 | 3 |
4 | Lynne Hans | Unattached | 39 | 3 |
Robert Ramsay finished second in the age group at Hidden Gem in 2:53:19. He remains in third place for the Circuit but is now only 18 points Joe Sehnal of Elmhurst Running Club. Lynne Hans finished third at Hidden Gem in 3:57:02, keeping him close to Ramsay. Sehnal, Ramsay, and Hans are competing for second and third in the age group, but they must push now. The season is winding down and they need to complete 5 Circuit races to remain eligible for awards.
Elmhurst Running Club’s Adrian Malec was a dedicated runner this year and is rewarded with clinching first place.
Important Links:
Join a team, follow the schedule, check standings, and learn about the CARA Hall of Fame at cararuns.org/circuit.
Support the Circuit, get discounts, and earn individual points: become a CARA Member.
Join the Circuit Community on our Chicago Racing Circuit Facebook Group and Chicago Racing Circuit Strava Club.