One week until the Seashore Marathon

A record number of participants from more than 40 states will toe the line for the eighth annual Rehoboth Beach Running Company’s Seashore Marathon & Half-Marathon, scheduled for 7 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. As of Nov. 20, the race closed at a record 2,991 participants, broken down as 1,866 in the half and 1,125 in the full marathon. An interesting stat, and it definitely shows the trend of how far female distance running has come, is that there are 1,223 male runners in the race and 1,765 female runners.  Forty-six states, including Alaska, will be represented.

Several local runners from Lewes and Rehoboth Beach are taking part in the event for their first time running the distance.

The marathon course will include 10 volunteer groups doing 17 water stops during the event and handing out more than 40,000 cups of water and Gatorade over the 26.2-mile distance. Groups that are confirmed as of this week are The Rotary Club, Sussex Academy of Georgetown, Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, AVID of Beacon Middle School, Coconut Grove, Cape Honor Society, Cape Leo Club, Sussex Tech cross country, Troop 2540 of Lewes, MERR and Seashore Striders cross country.

Spectators and family members attending the marathon are reminded to use Kings Highway and Cape Henlopen Drive to travel through Lewes, and park in the ferry parking area. There will be no parking along Cape Henlopen Drive and Kings Highway. Also, stay off Canal Corkran Road behind West Rehoboth. Personnel from DelDOT, Delaware State Police and Lewes Fire Police have been hired to patrol the course. There will be no parking in the Hawkseye development for spectators viewing the race at the Lewes side of the Junction and Breakwater Trail. Race organizers recommend riding a bike over to view the race.

The race has grown a lot since its inaugural running in 2008. That first edition was held in late November with a surprise turnout of 433 marathon runners who braved a cold morning with snow and ice falling overnight.

Best viewing locations

1. The Gordons Pond parking lot, which is the three-mile mark for both events. While the half-marathon turns around, the full continues to Lewes. In order to view the runners at this location, you have to drive there before the start of the 7 a.m. race. If you remain at Gordons Pond, you can catch the full runners returning at the 16-mile mark.

2. Grove Park is at the five-mile point of the half and 18-mile point of the full. It would be an excellent location to catch the early action in the race or the late action of the marathon. There is plenty of parking on site, but parking on Rehoboth Avenue and walking is a better bet.

3. Wolfe Neck Road, better known as the Wawa road off Route 1 at Midway, will be another prime location as the runners make their way through the Junction and Breakwater Trail and into Lewes at the eight-mile mark and on the return at the 23-mile mark of the marathon.  There is plenty of parking with a state park restroom on site.

4. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry public parking lot will be a great location for runner encouragement, as they pass the nine- and 11-mile mark on Cape Henlopen Drive heading to and from from the park. Plenty of parking at the lot, but spectators are reminded not to park on the shoulders of Cape Henlopen Drive and Kings Highway.

5. Cape Henlopen State Park at Herring Point is as far south as you can go on the Lewes side of the park. You can catch the full heading north coming off the trail at seven miles and then again on the return at 14 miles. Plenty of parking and restrooms.

6. Cape Henlopen State Park at Fort Miles is deep in the state park at seven miles and a bit of a hilly section where encouragement would be helpful. Park entrance fee is in effect, and there is plenty of parking at Fort Miles or across the street at the fire control tower.

Upcoming races

9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, 6th Huffin’ for Pumpkin Pie 5K, Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach.

9 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 29, 13th Sea Colony Turkey Trot 5K, Sea Colony Tennis Center, Bethany Beach.

7 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 5, 8th Rehoboth Beach Marathon & Half-Marathon, Rehoboth Beach Running Company, Rehoboth Beach.