A perfect weather day and a traditional and popular flat and fast course led to many impressive times and high age grades at the 32nd annual Queens Lake 5K on April 4 at New Quarter Park in Williamsburg.
The course starts and finishes near the park’s parking lot, and is an out-and-back on Lakeshead Drive into the beautiful and shaded Queens Lake neighborhood, on East Queens Drive with a loop of Copse Way at the turnaround. The course has been USATF certified (VA-20004-RT) by CRR vice president and race director Dave Anderson.
The race was the fourth Colonial Road Runners Grand Prix race of 2026, and also one of seven CRR races in the Hampton Roads Super Grand Prix series, attracting most of the heavy hitters from the CRR, but also a number of Tidewater Striders and Peninsula Track Club standouts. There were 118 entrants, with 104 total finishers, 97 in the 5K and seven in the one-mile fun run.
The men’s and women’s winners were born within 10 days in October 1976, David Angell, 49, of Blue Ridge (Roanoke area) and Dana Hayden, 49, of Powhatan (on Route 60, west of Richmond). Both were named the Virginia USATF Masters (40-and-older) Runners of the Year for 2025, and are frequent competitors in national USATF championships.
Last year, Hayden broke state women’s 45-49 records for the 5K (18:33 at Governor’s Land 5K, and 38:25 at the Democracy Dash 10K on Jamestown Island), both also CRR all-time age-group records. Angell has the all-time CRR record for men 45-49 for the 5K (16:00), as well as the Queens Lake age group record for that age group (16:01), very close to the state record of 15:53.
With a nine-time CRR Grand Prix champion (Roger Hopper) and the early Grand Prix leader and 2026 favorite (John Vogel) in attendance, it was Angell who pulled away for the win, timed in 16:36, with Vogel second (16:44) and Hopper third (17:15). It was only Angell’s second race since a major foot and ankle injury last September. And it was Hopper’s first CRR race of 2026, with chronic back problems.
Five more men were below 20 minutes—Jonathan Torres, 36, of Williamsburg (18:51), past Williamsburg resident Tim Suhr, 54, of Colquitt, Ga. (18:55), Tim Case, 43, of Williamsburg (19:47), Alexey Popov, 43, of Newport News (19:52) and Brian Rhee, 61, of Williamsburg (19:57).
For the women, friendly rivals Hayden and Emily Honeycutt bring out the best in each other in their fourth race since last fall, with Hayden timed in 18:44, only 11 seconds off her state record, and Honeycutt, 35, of Newport News second in 18:53. A major breakthrough came from Dorothy Ickes, 12, of Williamsburg, who improved her PR by a couple minutes, down to 20:11 for third place. Fourth was another young phenom, Sydney Gianoukos, 12, of Williamsburg (21:02), who beat her mother Aimee, 50, for the first time (21:14). Marjorie Friedrichs, 58, of Williamsburg was sixth in a PR 21:31 (six seconds better than her previous best).
Also below 22 minutes were Karen Grabowski, 42, of Toano (21:50) and Tricia Murphy, 44, of Williamsburg (21:58), with Shannon Foxx Day, 43, of Williamsburg recording yet another lifetime PR (23:11) for ninth, and Joanna McCandlish, 44, of Williamsburg rounding out the top ten (25:34).
Pictured from left are Annie VanSkiver, Katie Kipers, Tricia Murphy, Kate Uptmor, Jessica Anderson and Shannon Foxx-Day at the 32nd annual Queens Lake 5K on April 4. Tricia Murphy
On an age graded basis, as compiled by CRR statistician Jim Gullo, four runners were above the national-class standard of 80%, with both race winners above 85%. Angell had the best age grade (87.29%), and Hayden was close behind (85.39%). Friedrichs (82.66%) and Rhee (80.25%) were also national class, and Tim Suhr (79.75%) just missed. Had Suhr been 55 (his birthday is April 19), he would have been above 80%.
Also above 75% were Steve Menzies, 62, of Williamsburg (20:41, 78.09%), Dorothy Ickes (78.02%), Jim Duffy, 73, of Poquoson (23:40, 76.62%), Vogel (76.59%), Aimee Gianoukos (76.19%), Hopper (75.63%), Ken Mitchell, 81, of Williamsburg (28:10, 75.31%), Joe Calkins, 55, of Lanexa (20:14, 75.19%) and Honeycutt (75.16%). Just missing that 75% level was Sydney Gianoukos (74.87%). Seven more were above the regional-class 70% level.
Two Queens Lake age group records were set, by Hayden (for women 45-49) and by Mitchell (for men 80-and-older).
Runners take off at the start of the 32nd annual Queens Lake 5K. Rylan Flint
Hayden emailed her summary of the day and the race, “For most, the weather was likely a bit too warm [69 degrees at the start, but low humidity], but for me, it was perfect. The course was just undulating enough to keep the different muscle groups happy! Heading into the slightly inclined finish, however, I tried my best to dig deep. It was great to run with Emily again; it had been some time since mid-November [at Governor’s Land]. She always presses the pace! Another CRR runner I was stride-for-stride with for a bit was Tricia Murphy, so that made for good racing. Quite remarkable were two standout 12-year olds, Dorothy Ickes and Sydney Gianoukous, who really made their mark with phenomenal times and finishes. Indeed, a lot of friendly and exciting competition. I ran conservatively at first, due to some sore hamstrings still from a half-marathon the previous weekend, and that strategy allowed me to work my way into the race, ultimately negative splitting. Really exciting to have so many great performances in one race! An event highlight is the gathering with all the runners and their families and friends afterwards over some generous post-race refreshments and snacks. The park setting allowed nicely for this. The novelty socks were a nice surprise for the awards and I think were received very well!
Aimee Gianoukos emailed, “I was so proud of Syd~I thought I had another year till she beat me. “
Suhr emailed, “That was my first time running the course and it is definitely flat and fast, that’s probably why there were many good times along with great weather. There was definitely some strong competition out there and it was a lot of fun racing around people that finished sub 19 minutes and I look forward to the next time so I can whoop them!”
Friedrichs emailed, “This was my first CRR race of the year, and after battling some injuries last fall, it felt wonderful to finally race hard again. In an attempt to stay healthy, I’ve been doing more cross training this year and cutting back on my weekly running mileage. So far so good – it paid off at the Queens Lake race with my first 5K PR in 3.5 years!”
Duffy emailed, “The course is fun and not always flat which is a nice change. The weather was perfect and the competition great given the race was a Super Grand Prix and CRR Grand Prix race. That tends to attract folks from all three Hampton Roads Running Clubs and that probably contributes to the high age grade scores. The historical after race menu, including Nothing Bundt Cakes, has always been a memorable attraction. Pleased with my race breaking in new shoes and prepping for the Boston Marathon. Always appreciate the effort Dave [Anderson] puts into this popular race.”
Tricia Murphy emailed, “I really love the Queens Lake race. The course itself is fast, it goes to support a great cause and you get free Bundt cake at the end! This year my body doesn’t seem to be performing the same way [she had a PR 19:58 last April] and with the warmer temperatures I couldn’t hold on during the second half of the race. You win some, you lose some. I did enjoy visiting with my friends after the race and loved seeing Shannon [Foxx Day] come out with another massive PR.”
Rick Platt is president of Colonial Road Runners.