Having some fun with Beacon track and field
Every runner who races regularly loves to compete in a series. A series is simply a group of races that you lump together at some time of the year or throughout the whole year that can be scored separately; awards can be presented to the runners who complete the whole series, and points can be awarded as well based on the runners' placement in the race. So many opportunities for a series of events.
The popular Irish Eyes 6-Pack Series takes runners through a group of six events from April to June and awards a jacket to all the runners and walkers who complete the series.
The series recently kicked off with the opening race, the Seashore Classic, held April 17 in Lewes, with a field of 300 completing the half-marathon, 5K, and relay.
3rd Irish Eyes 6-Pack Series
Sunday, April 17 - Seventh Seashore Classic Half Marathon, 5K, Relay, Lewes
Saturday, May 7 - Eighth Mother's Day Remembrance 5K, Lewes, 9 a.m.
Saturday, June 4 - Sixth Habitat for Humanity 5K, Lewes, 7:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 11 - 13th DFRC Blue-Gold 5K & 1-Mile Walk, Lewes, 8 a.m.
Saturday, June 18 - Sixth Irish Eyes 5K Dash, Milton, 8 a.m.
Sunday, June 19 - 26th Father's Day 5K Run, Rehoboth, 7:30 a.m.
Note - For runners who miss an event, we are offering a make-up event which will be and only will be the Rehoboth Run for Economics 5K that will be held Sunday, June 5, in Rehoboth Beach at 7:30 a.m. from the Boardwalk at Wilmington Avenue.
Beacon track & field
When you hang around 12- and 13-year-olds for 10 weeks and spend hours coaching and teaching the student-athletes of the next generation about dedication, desire, sportsmanship, teamwork and respect, you better have some fun as well. This past week we celebrated Crazy Hat Day and Crazy Hair Day. Next week will be Crazy Sock Day, as the athletes and coaches had a good time checking out the different styles. I tell my athletes to make good choices almost daily and think before you speak, or today it is more like think before you hit send.
I am fortunate to have a great coaching staff and some very talented athletes that I hope have benefitted from our program. Our boys' team is young with only one win on the season, but it is very inspiring to see them continue to work hard day after day to better their performances. Our girls' team continues to dominate in Delaware; they have a streak of 62 straight wins and are coming off their fourth straight Blades Invitational Championship. The next week may be the toughest week in the program's history, as Friday, April 29, Beacon will host the Cape Relays at Cape Henlopen High School, and come back next week with the girls traveling north to take part in the McKinnon Invitational at Mount Pleasant High School Wednesday, May 4, and competing in the Cape Middle School Classic Thursday, May 5, also at Cape Henlopen High School.
“We are hoping that the boys' team can gain some valuable big-meet experience at the relays and the classic, which will help them in the future," said assistant coach Gilbert Maull. “On the girls' side, we have three big meets in a week, which is a lot of racing. Our girls won both the relays and the classic last year, and two years ago captured the McKinnon meet, so they know what the week is all about. If all goes well, it would be quite an achievement to capture all three championships.”
The Cape Relays will begin Friday, April 29, at Cape Henlopen with field events starting at 4:15 p.m., and running events at 4:45 p.m. The Cape community is invited to come out and support Beacon and Mariner track and field programs.
Upcoming races
• Saturday, April 30 - Second annual Stop, Drop & Run 5K, 8:30 a.m., Lewes, races2run.com
• Sunday, May 1- Fourth Big Fish Grill 5K, 8:30 a.m., Rehoboth, races2run.com
• Saturday, May 7- Eighth Mother's Day 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk Remembrance Run, 9 a.m., Lewes, seashorestriders.com
• Saturday, May 14 - Second annual John M. Scharp Memorial Geck-Go 5K, 8:30 a.m., Dewey Beach, races2run.com
• Saturday, May 14 - Schell Brothers Run Happy 5K Run & Walk, 1 p.m., Coastal Club, Lewes, seashorestriders.com.
