Races2Run hosts first two races in Craft Brewery Series

Races2run kicked off its Craft Brewery Series this past weekend with the Big Oyster Brewery For the People 4.25-Miler April 7, followed by the second annual Blue Earl Shuffle 5K in Smyrna April 8. Both events drew 300 participants, which is pretty good considering the cold, windy weather. It just goes to show that runners and walkers will endure all kinds of weather for a free craft beer.  

The Big Oyster event was a point-to-point route starting at Fort Miles (the event beneficiary) in Cape Henlopen State Park and running to the Big Oyster Brewery on Kings Highway in Lewes. Runners were bused from Big Oyster to Fort Miles.

The overall winners were Patrick Boettcher, 37, a self brewer from Newark, in 24:39 for a 5:48 mile pace. Female winner and third overall was 29-year-old Katie Tomlinson from Charlottesville, Va., in 26:51. Masters winners were David Stevenson from Abingdon, Md., in 26:57 and local favorite Susan Dunn from Laurel in 31:28.

The Big Oyster had a special release called Cape Kolsch, which was the beer of choice at the after party. 

Sunday’s event at the Blue Earl Brewery was an out-and-back route, running into the wind going out and with the wind coming back. Boettcher made it a weekend sweep, as he crossed the line first in a time of 17:35 for an average mile pace of 5:40. Women’s winner was 26-year-old Annalisa Leote from Plainsboro, N.J., in 21:41.  Annalisa also ran in the Big Oyster race, placing first in her age group. Masters winners were George Troemel of Jenkintown, Pa., in 20:04 and Cerified Running Nuts team member Mardiny Ung of Elizabethtown, Pa., in 23:10.

Beneficiaries for the Blue Earl Shuffle included the Food Bank of Delaware and the Food Pantry at Asbury Church in Smyrna. The Blue Earl Brewery also released a special brew just for this 5K. Runners and walkers enjoyed live music with their beer at the post-race party. 

All results are posted on races2run.com.

The next Races2Run event at the beach is the sixth annual Big Fish Grill 5K in Rehoboth Saturday, April 28.