As October winds down, the Chicago Marathon is in the rearview, the air is crisp, and the trees are ablaze with color. It’s the perfect backdrop for a fast and festive 5k, and with time running out to snag points in the Chicago Racing Circuit, the Lake Bluff PTO Pumpkin Chase 5k was buzzing with energy. Circuit runners showed up in full force—whether racing for team glory or personal ambitions—and they dominated the field, making up a whopping 80% of the top 30 male and top 30 female finishers. With the season nearing its end, every second counted, and the Pumpkin Chase turned into a thrilling, fall-themed showdown on the Circuit!
Overall Women (top 25 score points)
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races | Potential Max Points* |
1 | Kristin Dailey | DWRunning | 191 | 8 | 200 |
2 | Claire Krummenacher | Fleet Feet X New Balance | 129 | 6 | 186 |
3 | Brittany Matteson | DWRunning | 126 | 6 | 185 |
4 | Evance Stalley | CARA Racing Team | 111 | 9 | 148 |
5 | Julia Ordzowialy | DWRunning | 99 | 5 | 170 |
6 | Margaret Connelly | Unattached | 98 | 4 | 170 |
7 | Samantha Greenwood | DWRunning | 79 | 6 | 129 |
8 | Lauren Zumbach | DWRunning | 73 | 5 | 123 |
9 | Callie Ding | Unattached | 65 | 5 | 115 |
10 | Ashley Turner | CARA Racing Team | 64 | 7 | 119 |
As of 11/1/24
*Potential Maximum Points assumes that the runner will win the remaining unscored Circuit races. While Chicago Marathon results are not yet certified, the above takes into consideration whether the athlete competed in the marathon and where they finished relative to the other Circuit competitors. For example, Krummenacher finished behind Dailey and Matteson at the Chicago Marathon, so at best she could score 23 points for that race.
Taking home the “W” in a blazing 17:15, DW’s Kristin Dailey not only clinched CARA Runner of the Year, but also secured one of the highest point totals ever recorded. Her dominance throughout the year came with 6 outright victories (soon to be 7 when the Chicago Marathon is scored) and two second place finishes. Her times were consistently fast from spring to fall, leaving little room for anyone to get close.
With another impressive time of 17:57, Fleet Feet's Claire Krummenacher claimed 2nd place at the Pumpkin Chase and moved up from 3rd to 2nd in the Overall Circuit standings. Her finish put her just ahead of DW’s Brittany Matteson, her closest competitor and biggest threat for holding onto that coveted 2nd spot as the Circuit season winds down. Krummenacher and Matteson have point caps of 186 and 185, respectively, so it’ll come down to the wire.
Making a powerful return to the Circuit after recovering from injuries, defending Pumpkin Chase champion and 2023 CARA Runner of the Year Mandy Kompanowski made her presence known by securing 3rd place with a solid 19:20.
The CARA Racing Team’s dynamic duo, Ashley Turner and Ashley Bruner, rounded out the top five with strong performances—Turner finishing 4th in 19:34 and Bruner right behind her in 19:35. The Ashleys delivered back-to-back finishes, adding excitement to the competition and pushing the pace in this tightly contested race. Turner was rewarded by breaking into the top 10 in the overall Circuit standings.
Another CARA teammate, Evance Stalley, was 9th at Pumpkin chase in 20:14, moving her up from 6th to 4th in overall Circuit standings. Unfortunately, her fate is not wholly in her own hands, as her best shot at moving up to the top 3 is if Krummenacher and Matteson sit out the last two races of the season while she scores near the top.
In a similar situation, the only other runners with a chance at the top 3 are Margaret Connelly and DW’s Julia Ordzowialy. They both have a point cap of 170, which is enough to move up, but not enough to guarantee anything.
Moving back into the top 10 overall after competing at the IESA State Championship, Callie Ding finished 6th at Pumpkin Chase in 19:36. At a full minute faster than her last Circuit 5k (Race Against Hate 5k in 20:39), the middle schooler has held her own against experienced runners 3-4x her age.
Overall Men (top 25 score points)
Place | Name | Team | Points | Races | Potential Max Points* |
1 | Daniel Lennington | Evanston Running Club | 112 | 7 | 162 |
2 | Sebastian Ramirez Wiener | Xtra Mile Fast Track | 105 | 11 | 141 |
3 | Jeremy Ruston | Xtra Mile Fast Track | 104 | 6 | 144 |
4 | John Barrett | CARA Racing Team | 99 | 8 | 147 |
5 | Yoon Oh | Xtra Mile Fast Track | 84 | 8 | 134 |
6 | Dan Pettitt | CARA Racing Team | 76 | 7 | 126 |
7 | Matthew Jeromin | Xtra Mile Fast Track | 72 | 8 | 122 |
8 | Brendan Thielsen | Fleet Feet X New Balance | 72 | 4 | 122 |
9 | Matthew Bevil | Unattached | 70 | 4 | 120 |
10 | John Craig | Unattached | 70 | 8 | 120 |
As of 11/1/24
*Potential Maximum Points assumes that the runner will win the remaining two Circuit races.
Bryce Richards was closest to catching that pumpkin on the back of the truck from start to finish, winning the Pumpkin Chase 5k in 15:11. While Richards ran much of the race alone, there was a tight chase pack of 6 about a minute behind him. Fleet Feet’s Brendan Thielsen broke free and crossed the line 2nd in 16:12, a repeat of his performance here last year. With the additional 24 points he moves back into the overall Circuit top 10.
Also in the chase pack at the Pumpkin (ahem) Chase 5k, CARA Racing Team's John Barrett finished strong, taking 3rd place in 16:15. Close behind were Evanston’s Daniel Lennington in 5th with a time of 16:17 and Fast Track’s Jeremy Ruston, who secured 7th in 16:22. Barrett’s impressive run moved him up from 5th to 4th in the Circuit standings. Meanwhile, Lennington, Ruston, and Sebastian Ramirez Wiener—who finished 11th in 16:56—held steady in the top three positions, reinforcing their lead. Adding to CARA Racing Team’s success, Dan Pettitt took 15th place in 17:11, which boosted him to 6th overall in the Circuit standings.
So, what does all this mean for the Circuit? The competition is still wide open, with no runner clinching a definitive position just yet. It’s technically possible for a 12th-place contender to take the title, though the odds are slim. But things will take a decisive turn at the upcoming Xtra Mile Fast Track Cross Country race. If Lennington finishes 4th or better, he’ll lock in 134 points, effectively eliminating Yoon, Pettitt, Jeromin, and others from Circuit victory. That would set up a thrilling final showdown among Lennington, Ramirez Wiener, Ruston, and Barrett for the top spot.
And with only two races left on the Circuit, anyone aiming to win it all will need to compete in both remaining Circuit events. The final stretch promises to be a test of endurance, strategy, and determination!
Important Links:
Join a team, follow the schedule, check standings, and learn about the CARA Hall of Fame at cararuns.org/circuit.
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