Cape May-Lewes Ferry to host Consortium's Tommy Ten and Daffodil Dash April 29

The Sussex Consortium will sponsor its Second Annual Tommy 10K and Sixth Annual Daffodil Dash 5K at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 29, at the Lewes Ferry Terminal, 43 Cape Henlopen Drive. Participants will run a course that winds through Cape Henlopen State Park with the start and finish at the Lewes Ferry Terminal. The event is rain or shine. Participants may register at www.races2run.com/events/daffodil-dash.

"The race is our way of honoring a man who gave of himself daily, Tommy Coveleski, while raising funds for our program's professional development," said Dr. Vivian Bush, principal of the Sussex Consortium. "Now with the ferry, it is a wonderful partnership, and we scheduled the races so that people can come over from Cape May on the first ferry, run a race, have some fun, and then head back to Cape May."

Bush added that each year, the Sussex Consortium is able to bring in world-renowned speakers for the staff because of this race. "It's so important, and we hope the community will come out to support us," Bush said.

"We are thrilled that the Lewes Ferry Terminal was selected to host the annual Daffodil Dash and Tommy 10K racing events," said Heath Gehrke, director of ferry operations. "I ride the Cape Henlopen State Park bike trails myself, and it's hard to imagine a more unique, picturesque location to have a race. And with the ending point at the ferry terminal you get a spectacular waterfront view to celebrate and relax after the race. These types of fundraising events are a great opportunity to get some exercise while supporting a fantastic organization."

The Sussex Consortium program offers educational programs and services to a number of different students with special needs, including education programs for any student with an educational classification of autism for all Sussex County school districts. SC expects 500 athletes to participate. Race2Run, an organization that assists nonprofits with special fundraising events, is managing the race. Pre-race packet pickup will be available Friday, April 28, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the school, 820 Savannah Road in Lewes.

Online registration closes Thursday, April 27, at noon. Preregistration entry fees for the Daffodil Dash and Tommy 10K are $30 and $40 respectively. After April 27, the late registration fee is an additional $10 for each race. Sussex Consortium students are free. Registration fees are nonrefundable. On race day, registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Lewes Ferry Terminal. Both races start at 9 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow the race events.