26th Dave Reynolds Swim/Run Biathlon set for July 3

The annual Dave Reynolds Biathlon will be held Sunday, July 3, in Rehoboth Beach, heading out from the Rehoboth Beach Patrol Headquarters on Baltimore Avenue beginning at 8 a.m. Athletes can compete as individuals, on teams, or in the 2-mile memory walk. 

The Rehoboth Biathlon was started back in the early ‘80s by Bruce Springer of Timeout Sports. The name was changed in memory of RBP lifeguard Dave Reynolds in 1993 after Reynolds died in a swimming accident. The Seashore Striders have produced the event the last 26 years, but the event may be 30 years old already with the 1980s added. The Reynolds and Matta families have been the driving force behind the race for the past 12 years, with the support of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol, the City of Rehoboth Beach and the Seashore Striders.

The race will feature a half-mile ocean swim, followed by a 5K run that heads out to North Shores and back. As team members, pairs will be in male, female, coed, and youth teams.

Rehoboth Beach has a rich history of annual events, including the Sea Witch Festival, the Chocolate Festival, the Fourth of July Fireworks, the Christmas Parade and the marathon to name a few. And for the last 26 years, the Seashore Striders have been hosting the biathlon, ranking high in the town for annual successful events. Come cheer on some favorite biathlete Sunday morning at the Rehoboth Beach Patrol.

Visit www.seashorestriders.com for more information.

Mike Firch completes Triple Crown

Last weekend, 21 runners completed the Seashore Striders Triple Crown Series of three races in three towns in three days. Special awards were presented to the runners at the Jungle Jim’s award ceremony June 25 for completing the task.

Runners were presented with a custom glass mug with their name personalized on it. My apologies go out to popular runner and friend, Mike “Michael” Firch who completed the series, but was left off the list when the computer assumed “Mike” and “Michael” were two different runners. I checked the list 42 times that week and should have checked it 43 times. I simply missed it. Mike, a strong supporter of the Seashore Striders, will be presented with his mug this weekend at the Beach Paper 5K.

Ritter races Monday in Olympic Trails 

Former Beacon Middle/Sussex Tech/Rider University runner Emily Ritter out of Millsboro will line up on the starting line with the country’s best female steeplechasers Monday, July 4, in Oregon.

Ritter lowered her personal best down to 9:48, which placed her seventh in the field of 24 women, in a race in California last month called the Hoka Middle Distance Classic. 

The trials standard is 9:52, which Ritter has reached, and the Olympic standard is a 9:45. If Ritter makes the final, it will be held Thursday, July 7, on national TV. Good luck to local Emily Ritter!

Upcoming Races

Saturday, July 2 - 26th Beach Paper Firecracker 5K Run, 7:30 a.m.; Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com 

Sunday, July 3 - 26th Dave Reynolds Swim/Run Biathlon, 8 a.m.; Rehoboth Beach Patrol, Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com

Monday, July 4 - Inaugural Red, White & Blue 5K Run, 8 a.m.; Rehoboth Country Club, Rehoboth Beach, www.races2run.com.