Almost all of the leading candidates for this year’s Colonial Road Runner Grand Prix men’s and women’s titles showed up on Nov. 1 for the inaugural Olde Town Medical & Dental Center Carter’s Grove 10K and 5K Stride for Wellness, one of two new additions to this year’s CRR race schedule. The only woman among the top five CRR point scorers that was missing was Marjy Friedrichs, who was running the New York City Marathon the next day as one of the race’s age-group elites, along with Jim Duffy.

The race was directed by Susan Dunn and Michelle Williams of the Olde Town Medical & Dental Center staff, which was the race beneficiary. The main race was the 10K, a CRR Grand Prix event, which started at 9 a.m., and the 5K started 15 minutes later. The start was at the end of the James City County Government Center main road off Mounts Bay Road and the Kingsmill entrance. After two tenths of a mile, the runners and walkers took a short dirt path to the traffic-free, scenic Carter’s Grove Country Road to the respective 5K and 10K turnaround points, returning the same route to a finish on the Country Road, adjacent to the registration, parking, awards and refreshments area. There also was a vendor village.

For the women at Carter’s Grove, Emily Honeycutt, 34, of Newport News was first in 39:59. Following in the top half dozen were Isabella Strumke, 12, of Toano (41:25), Tricia Murphy, 44, of Williamsburg (44:38), Aimee Gianoukos, 49, of Williamsburg (44:48), Svitlana Honcharova, 27, of Williamsburg (46:59) and Joanna McCandlish, 43, of Williamsburg (52:36).

With just four CRR Grand Prix races remaining, Honeycutt has clinched yet another women’s title with 115 points (her eighth championship, a CRR record), followed by Murphy (100 points), Gianoukos (78), Strumke (72) and Friedrichs (56). Grand Prix awards go to the top three overall men and women, and first Masters (ages 40-and-older), along with 32 age group awards.

In the Masters category, Murphy leads with 58 points, followed by Gianoukos (48) and Friedrichs (29). But the current point tally can be deceptive, as only the top 12 races count in the scoring, and that won’t be sorted out until after the final 21st race (the Jingle Jog 5K on Dec. 20). Murphy has done 13 races thus far, Honeycutt 12, Friedrichs and Gianoukos 10 and Strumke eight.

For the men, the top two in the Grand Prix standings showed up. Jack Strumke, 15, of Toano also broke the 40-minute barrier with his 39:24, and was followed in the top six by Alexey Popov, 42, of Newport News (42:20), Dave Anderson, 55, of Williamsburg (44:04), Brian Fries, 37, of Yorktown (44:36), Abraham Martinez, 25, of Williamsburg (45:26) and Hunter Matthews, 37, of Williamsburg (45:45).

Dave Anderson (2) and Brian Fries lead the second pack during the Carter’s Grove 10K. Courtesy of Todd Strumke

In the men’s Grand Prix standings, Popov leads with 66 points, followed by Jack Strumke (57) and Scott Ickes, 43, of Williamsburg (who is peaking for the Nov. 15 Richmond Half Marathon). For Masters, Popov leads Ickes, 36-22.

On an age graded basis, as compiled by CRR statistician Jim Gullo, Isabella Strumke was an easy winner, at 78.95%. Also above the regional standard of 70% were Honeycutt (72.74%), Gianoukos (71.98%), Jack Strumke (71.87%) and Anderson (70.39%). Above 65% age graded were Murphy (68.89%), Steve Menzies, 61, of Williamsburg (47:54, 68.37%), Frank Corbett, 74, of Williamsburg (56:02, 66.99%) and Popov (65.74%). There were 83 entrants and 72 finishers for the first-time race.

Fries emailed, “Much like the Revolutionary BBQ Crawl 5K [the other new CRR race in 2025], the Carter’s Grove race was a great addition to the CRR schedule and Grand Prix. The course was challenging, but beautiful on a perfect fall running morning. Dave [Anderson] and I ran together for the first 4 miles. We picked up Aimee right before the turnaround and Tricia shortly after. Dave pulled away on an uphill in mile 5 and Tricia, Aimee, and I pushed each other to the finish line. I think we were all pretty pleased with our times considering how hilly the course was. I’m looking forward to year 2 of this race next year!”

Honeycutt emailed, “I didn’t mind the rolling hills, but I had to run a little more carefully. Jack and I were together for the first couple miles before he pulled ahead. I could see him for most of the race on the straightaway parts until the very end. Despite not being a PR course, with the win Saturday, I clinched the women’s Grand Prix, which was the goal for Saturday’s race!”

Todd Strumke emailed, “The kids liked the course a lot in large part because it was so pretty with the leaves falling and surrounded by woods all while being unencumbered by traffic. The kids will likely only run two more CRR races this year as we are now in wrestling season and will be focusing on that from here on out. As such, Jack and Isabella will be missing out on a lot of potential points by not having run in 12 races (which are eligible for scoring points) but it was well worth missing a few races so we could spend two months in Argentina this past summer with family.”

Murphy emailed, “I really enjoyed the race. It was my first time running in this area and I always enjoy a bit of hills compared to a flat course. Thankfully many of the leaves were blown off the path, and the temperature was absolutely perfect. The sun was in my eyes a bit on the way out so I had to watch my footing with the road being a bit uneven, but it didn’t seem to bother me too much. I felt really strong and because of the hills I held back a bit and managed to feel really strong during the second half. At the turnaround Dave and Brian were close behind and I saw Aimee a bit behind them. Dave and Brian passed me around 3.5 miles. I heard Aimee close behind a few times, so I did try and hold my speed since I know once she passes me, I don’t normally have a chance, so I knew my only chance was to stay ahead as long as possible. I am running Richmond with many of my other friends. I’m hoping to break my PR of 1:34:13, we will see what my body allows.”

Race director Susan Dunn emailed, “I think the event went surprisingly well. I have had positive feedback from runners (I put a survey out for all that ran). We are already planning for next year [scheduled for the first Saturday in November]. I am hoping for more runners, more vendors, and a [1 mile] fun run. Our total revenue, once we collect a few sponsor fees still outstanding, will be $13,843.50.”

Friedrichs, 58, of Williamsburg emailed about her New York race, “Running the NYC Marathon as part of the Age Group World Championships was quite a thrill! I came in with a few lingering injuries, so my race didn’t go as originally planned, but the energy, the music, and the crowds carried me through all five boroughs. It was great to have Jim Duffy participating in the AGWC as well – we ran together over the Verrazzano Bridge, and I ended up finishing just a few minutes behind him in Central Park! This was my third World Marathon Major (I also did Boston and London) and I’ve run about five others as well. Jim ran a very impressive and inspiring 4:00:58! My PR (London in 2024) is 3:39:44, so I feel like I have considerable room available for future improvement, if I can keep myself healthy.”

Duffy, 73, of Poquoson emailed, “The NYC Marathon was special for me because it was my first in 1982. I also ran it in 1983, ‘86, and ‘88. Back then the field size was 25,000 not the almost 60,000 for this year. I saw Marjy at the start and we ran close to each other over the Verrazzano Bridge. My time placed 34th of 249 in the 70-74 age group. Not quite the 3:09 I ran in 1983 but very pleased to go back and enjoy the splendor of the NYC. It is a tough course but all the runners, fans, volunteers make it an incredible day for human camaraderie and support for folk’s personal goals. This was my 53rd marathon. It was my ‘home turf’ growing up 20 minutes outside NYC and it was an honor and privilege to participate.”

Rick Platt is president of Colonial Road Runners.

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/11/07/honeycutt-clinches-womens-crr-grand-prix-title/