"I love it," Sellers said moments after completing the CVAC's sweep of the $950 in men's-open prize money. "We're hoping for Susan now."
But no one had to squeeze his fingers too tightly together for Greencastle, Pa.'s Susan Graham-Gray, 35, also of the CVAC.
Graham-Gray never was challenged on her way to winning the women's title in 3:05:50. Patricia Zerfas, 42, of Kensington, Md., was the runner-up in 3:11:18.
"It wasn't the best race I've run," said Graham-Gray of her first marathon victory, which was worth $500. "I wanted to break 3 hours, but I wasn't going to run myself into the ground. I just wanted to win. I guess it was a smart race."
Dick, who prior to Sunday had only finished one of his four marathon attempts, said his goal also was to break 3 hours.
"I was joking around one day in December and said I wanted to break 3 hours at Frederick," said Dick, the former Hagerstown Junior College running standout who works as the director of recreation for Washington County. "(Sellers) and I made a gentlemen's bet on it. I weighed 172 pounds in December. I weigh 152 now."
By Mile 17, Dick was alone in the lead, more than a minute ahead of Monheim. However, the miles and muggy weather conditions began to take their tolls.
"I was feeling miserable, but you just have to talk yourself out of it. I never thought about dropping out," Dick said. "I was feeling bad, but I knew everyone else was feeling bad. Nobody trained in this kind of weather over the winter."
Dick slowed to a walk four times, each for about 10-15 seconds, between miles 21 and 24, allowing Monheim, who trailed by 2 1/2 minutes at Mile 20, to make a late charge.
"I was catching him pretty quick. I got within 30 seconds by 24," said Monheim, the girls track and cross country coach at Chambersburg High School. "But I just used too much energy trying to catch him."
Dick burned the final two miles, running the last in less than 6 minutes, and never looked back, as his gentlemen's bet turned into a $500 payday - and a sharper looking softball team.
"I definitely didn't do it for the money, so I'm going to put it to good use," Dick said. "Because I didn't get a sponsor for our co-rec softball team, I told the staff, 'If I win the race, I'm buying the team's T-shirts.' I might buy the button-down ones now."
Tri-State race schedule
Saturday
Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance 5K, Chambersburg, Pa., 10 a.m., 717-263-7191.
Mother's Day Mission of Mercy 5K, Baker Park, Frederick, 8:30 a.m., 301-447-3939.
May 15
National Pike Days 5K, Clear Spring, 9 a.m., 301-733-4103.
Armed Forces Day 10K, Fort Detrick, Frederick, 301-619-2498.
May 22
Ballenger Creek 5K, Frederick, 8 a.m., 240-236-2508.
June 1
Ausherman X-C Series No. 1, Hagerstown Community College, 7 p.m., 717-263-0168.
June 5
Chambersburg YMCA 5K Pump-n-Run, 7:30 a.m., 717-263-8508.
June 6
Run Through History 10K, Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, 240-420-2183.
June 12
Jack E. Barr 5K, Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, 8 a.m. 800-841-4584, ext. 296.
FMH Race for Leukemia 5-Miler, Frederick, 8 a.m., 301-371-3379.
June 15
Ausherman X-C Series No. 2, Greencastle-Antrim High School, 7 p.m., 717-263-0168.
June 19
Vince Tantillo Memorial 5K, Hagerstown, 301-739-3990.
June 29
Ausherman X-C Series No. 3, Waynesboro High School, 7 p.m., 717-263-0168.
Andy Mason is assistant sports editor of The Morning Herald. He can be reached at 301-733-5131, ext. 2334, or by e-mail at andrewm@herald-mail.com
