Second annual Fire Fightin’ 5K Sunday in Rehoboth Beach

It has been a busy summer for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company with the most recent fire that destroyed Ed’s Chicken in Dewey Aug. 9. Our first responders were quickly on the scene, both in Dewey and at the Milton Diner, which burned down last week as well, the very next night.

What better way to thank the first responders than to participate in their annual 5K run and walk Sunday, Aug. 21, in Rehoboth Beach. The 5K event will kick off at 8 a.m., in front of Station 86 on Rehoboth Avenue and will take in the popular Boardwalk by way of Lake, Oak and Surf avenues before turning around at Wilmington Avenue and returning the same way. The post-race party will be at Lula Brazil on Rehoboth Avenue. Registration will still be open through Friday evening. Runners and walkers should visit www.seashorestriders.com to get registered. Runners may register on race day beginning at 7 a.m. at the fire house. Awards will be presented to the overall, masters and top three finishers in age groups from 9 and under to 70 and over. Parking will be on Rehoboth Avenue. Proceeds will benefit the Capital Campaign Station 2 Building Fund.

Olympic highs 

Every four years, the best track and field athletes converge on a city, Rio de Janeiro in this case, and showcase the best performances in the world in nearly every track and field event. For me, it is my favorite time, as I watch each event with the anticipation that a new world best will be turned in or a newcomer like Sydney McLaughlin, the16-year-old hurdler from New Jersey, will emerge on the scene, or, better yet, to see a veteran like 42-year-old Bernard Lagat advance to yet another final.

The United States is not disappointing the world on the track or in the field, as they have won more medals than any other nation in the meet.

A sweep in the hurdles, which is the first Olympic 1-2-3 finish in any event, was led by Brianna Rollins, the 2013 world champion, in a time of 12.48.

In the men’s triple jump, former University of Florida training partners Christian Taylor and Will Claye duplicated their 1-2 finish in the triple jump at the 2012 London Olympics, as Taylor nailed the winning jump on his first attempt and Claye completed “one of the best days of my life” by leaping into the stands to propose to his fiancée.

Taylor got the gold and Claye got the “I do.” Taylor’s aim was to break Jonathan Edwards’ 1995 world record of 60 feet, but he came up short with a season-best mark of 58 feet-7 1/4-inches.

Ending a 32-year medal drought in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase was American record holder Evan Jager, who ran a great race to earn silver and become the first American man to medal in the event since Brian Diemer in 1984.

American shot putter Michelle Carter waited until her last throw Friday night to knock off arguably the best woman to ever compete in the event - two-time defending champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand. Carter tossed the shot 67-feet-8-inches for the win.

There was a 1-2 finish in the long jump, as Jeff Henderson led the way with a 27-feet-6-inch performance. The girls were equally impressive, as Tianna Bartoletta failed to qualify for the women’s 100-meter dash finals Wednesday, but she came through when faced with a duel in the long jump by her American teammate.

Moments after being overtaken by fellow American and defending gold medalist Brittney Reese, Bartoletta delivered a personal-best jump of 23-feet-6-inches on her last attempt to capture the long jump gold medal.

Still to come on the men's side are the much-anticipated 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters and marathon. 

Ed Dean 4-Miler location changed

The Ed Dean 4-Miler, held every year from Magnolia's Restaurant in Ocean View, will take place Saturday, Aug. 27, at a new location. The start and finish will be at the old Harris Teeter grocery store, soon to be Hocker’s, at the corner of Fred Hudson Road and Cedar Neck Road. The out-and-back course will travel down the right side of Fred Hudson and cross over into Fresh Pond, turning around at the two-mile mark. Proceeds will benefit the Bethany Beach Patrol. Get registered at www.seashorestriders.com.

Upcoming races

• Saturday, Aug. 20 - Third annual Breast Fest 5K, 8 a.m., Dewey Beach, www.races2run.com

• Sunday, Aug. 21 - Second annual RBVFC Fire Fightin’ 5K Run/Walk, 8 a.m., Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com

• Saturday, Aug. 27 - Ed Dean 4-Miler, 8 a.m., Ocean View, www.seashorestriders.com

• Sunday, Aug. 28 - Sundance 5K Run, Walk, & Sashay, 8 a.m., Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com.