The Seashore Striders Women's Distance Festival 5K, an all-female race, will go off at 7:30 a.m. Friday, July 6, followed by the male race at 8 a.m. The top 10 finishers in the female event will receive awards sponsored by New Balance. The event used to be a part of a national series through the Road Runners Club of America; however, the series did not continue on the national platform, so the Striders decided to change the name and continue it anyway.  Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.  Come and cheer on the female runners in the area.

Striders road trip

The Seashore Striders Event Production Team headed west July 1 to National Harbor, just outside the Washington, D.C. beltway and two miles east of I-95 south toward Richmond. The Striders were to produce a 5K run and walk at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center.

The event, the inaugural Run for Echo - ASE 5K Run/Walk, was cosponsored by Siemens and IAC. The race followed three loops of the property with each loop equaling one mile and took participants along the Potomac River. Each loop had a half-mile incline, which made the course quite a challenge. Most of the field of 150 participants were doctors and hospital administrators from all over the world attending the conference. The hotel housed 2,000 luxurious rooms, including 110 lavish suites and a spectacular 18-story glass atrium offering sweeping views of the Potomac River, Washington, D.C. and Old Town Alexandria.

The Striders team began the event set-up at 4 a.m., with the 5K going off at 6 a.m. sharp. Most of the field were across the finish in 50 minutes, and the event ended by 7:30 a.m.

Jason Robustelli of Jay’s Online Store was first across the finish, racing to a time of 19:24 averaging 6:14 a mile, while Michele Carr ran 22:18 to average 7:10 a mile.

Biathlon highlights

The annual Dave Reynolds Biathlon was held July 1, taking off from the Rehoboth Beach Patrol with just under 300 individual and team members taking part.  Male champion Brad Brooks, 18, of Newark  hung on to win the title in 29:16. Just three seconds back at the finish, C.W. Moran of Millsboro finished in 29:19 and made up nearly two minutes on the run with an impressive 16- minute 5K split.  

Liz Butterly defended her title with a winning time of 34:40, while Sharon Lemberger was second in 36:06.  The masters titles went to always tough Patrick Beebe of Rehoboth in 33:50 and the consistent Mary Beth Evans of Rehoboth Beach in 39:17.  Harry Nothacker, 64, dominated the 60-64 age group with a 39:19, nearly two minutes ahead of second place. Nothacker, who was honored with bib no.1, has never missed a Rehoboth Biathlon dating back to the '80s.  A calm ocean allowed safe swimming.

The event featured new sleeveless tech T-shirts for all participants. The great sponsorship of Fifer Orchards meant fresh fruit for all, and Rita's provided plenty of the popular Italian water ice.

Run Rehoboth Beach - 26.2

The 2012 version of the Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon & Half Marathon will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, and it is not too early to start thinking about building your base mileage up. The race is just about 20 weeks away and will feature the full 26.2-mile journey to Lewes and Cape Henlopen State Park and the 13.1-mile half that will turn around at the end of Junction & Breakwater Trail. Currently the marathon has 222 participants signed up with 195 in the half for a nice pre-race number of 417 registered. Visit our site at rbmarathon.com or register at Lin-Mark.com and join the fun with the Rehoboth Marathon in December.

Upcoming races

7:30 a.m., Saturday, July 7, Women’s Distance Festival 5K, Rehoboth Elementary School, Rehoboth Beach.

8 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 22nd Seashore Striders 5K Run, Rehoboth Elementary School, Rehoboth Beach.

8 a.m., Sunday, July 8, 10th Jimmy's Grille Dewey 5K, Dewey Beach.

8 a.m., Saturday, July 14, Third Kelly J. Fritchman Memorial 5K, Irish Eyes, Lewes.